Nairobi: Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Aden Duale, has unveiled two major initiatives to bolster Kenya's response to climate change: the National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS), and the State of the Climate Kenya (SOCK) 2024 Report. Speaking at the launch, Duale emphasized that these efforts mark a significant step toward a more resilient and sustainable future for the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, NFCS will serve as the foundation of Kenya's climate strategy and provide timely, reliable, and actionable climate data to various sectors, including government agencies, businesses, academia, and local communities. Duale noted that the framework is designed to enhance Kenya's ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to climate variability and extreme weather events.
The CS expressed his confidence in the implementation of the NFCS framework, which is expected to improve agricultural planning, water resource management, disaster risk response, and the protection of critical infrastructure. Duale stated that the goal is to build a nation that is resilient, informed, and ready to face the challenges posed by climate change and variability.
Duale emphasized that, in addition to the framework, the SOCK 2024 Report offers a thorough evaluation of the country's climate trends, challenges, and opportunities. He described it as a result of rigorous scientific research and expert analysis, which will serve as a compass for policymakers and stakeholders across the country and the region.
Additionally, Duale called on all stakeholders, including county governments, private enterprises, civil society organizations, and individual citizens, to actively participate in climate action. He stressed that while the two new initiatives provide the necessary tools, success will ultimately depend on collaboration, responsibility, and unity.
In a quick rejoinder, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Jonathan Mueke, emphasized the urgent need for climate information in the agricultural sector, particularly in livestock farming. Mueke noted that climate change has severely impacted livestock productivity, with farmers affected by both droughts and floods.
His counterpart, the Principal Secretary of the State Department of Forestry, Gitonga Mugambi, called on Kenyans to plant more trees to help address climate change. He emphasized that forests play a key role in regulating the climate and reiterated the country's target of planting 15 billion trees to achieve a 30 percent forest cover.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has praised Kenya for its strong leadership in climate services and its commitment to advancing weather and climate information. WMO commended the strong partnerships, science-driven solutions, and collaboration with various sectors as essential for building a climate-resilient Kenya.