Validation workshop for thematic areas on climate change by KCCWG
- Details
HELD AT THE GAZEBO RESTAURANT
Report by Cecilia Mueni
Background
The Kenya Climate Change Working Group is a forum that brings together civil society and development partners working for climate justice for the purpose of creating synergies, harmonizing and strengthening of efforts in the design and implementation of activities that address Climate Change.
Thematic areas of focus for the group are Water, Energy, Agriculture, Forestry, conflict, tourism, infrastructure and trade.
Objectives of KCCWG are:‐
- To advocate for a positive policy and legislative framework that puts into account the effects of climate change on human development.
- To support civil society organizations and the Government of Kenya to participate meaningfully in the climate change debates at the international level, including Conferences of Parties (COP)
- To be a national platform for lobbying and advocacy on climate justice and advocacy.
- To strengthen the civil society to campaign for good policies and actions that are designed to help Kenya’s poor to adapt to climate change.
- Leveraging funding for climate change initiatives.
- Creating awareness among the grass root communities on the connection between climate change and their livelihoods.
- Spearheading climate change adaptation in Kenya.
- Providing general watch dog duties to the research, training and capacity building in the area of adaptation and resilience to climate change.
- Working with government institutions and relevant committees in the area of Climate Change.
This report focuses on reports given on Agriculture, Energy, Water and conflict thematic areas. The report gives highlights given in the different areas with the full reports annexed. The report also capture issues and concerns raised during the validation workshop and general remarks and conclusions. Kindly note that reports annexed are considered draft reports and not final reports.Introductions and welcome remarks
The meeting begun with prayers from Dr. Mutunga of KENFAP
Presentations
AGRICULTURE THEMATIC GROUP
Impacts of climate change on food security. Dr.Mutunga
The report was a qualitative data collection done in the different agro ecological zones in the country. Major highlights of the report included:
- The need for the country to move back to orphan crops such as sorghum, millet and cassava
- The need for the country to shift from reliance on rainfall
- More emphasis on research, education and extension services in agriculture
- Extensive case studies and impact studies
- Having a mechanism to monitor the Agriculture Ministry
THE ENERGY THEMATIC GROUP
The presentation for the group was done by John Kioli.
Highlights on the energy thematic areas included:
- A feasibility study needs to be done on biogas and other renewable energy options.
- Energy is not addressed in the Millenium Development Goals yet it is important if we are to industrialize.Why can’t we go nuclear?
- 70% of Kenyan households depend on biomass, more research needs to be done on this
WATER THEMATIC AREA
Prof. Edward Kairu did the case study for the water thematic group. Highlights in the report included
- The need to identify gaps in policies on water and the Environment Management Coordination Act
- Building by‐laws that would allow the urban dweller harvest and manage water
- Increase in efficiency in irrigation as opposed to increase in acreage.
- Conservation should be taught in schools
CONFLICT THEMATIC AREA
Conflict was presented by Hon. Mwandawiro who did case studies in Kajiado.
Issues and concerns
How can we ensure that institutes of higher learning are incorporated into such research to ensure the right information is given and means of dealing with climate Change?
Can the report can get published as a book to reach policy makers.
Gender issues need to be incorporated in the report.
Was the issue of land tenure addressed? Size of farms may affect food production.
Information on renewable energy use in the country is scanty.
There is no political will in water resource management. Too much water is going into waste.
There is need to cover biomass since most rural folk depend on it largely.
Renewable energy is expensive for households making adaptation expensive.
Information on renewable energy is scanty and there
Response and concluding remarks
There is need to create a forum for information exchange and focus on how to increase knowledge. Where do we focus our research? How do we consume the information for our benefit? As KCCWG we can sensitize the bureau as well
have agricultural symposiums or set up a research center of excellence.
Have a consultative technology development.
Oxfam had showed interest in publishing the report but it is up to KCCWG to take it a notch higher. The policy drafting group will use the information from the report to inform policy.
Women may be more vulnerable than men when it comes to Climate Change since they are the ones walking long distances for example, to look for water.
They are also the ones coming up with adaptation measures. If we focus on the adaptation measures that women are doing and amplify that, we can promote reversal of adverse effects of Climate Change. There shouldn’t be a focus on
gender without class; methodology should be extended to class.
The reason why land tenure was not addressed in the agriculture report was because the focus was on group and not individual response.
Contact Us
Kenya Climate Change Working Group Association,
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Jabavu Lane,Hurlingham
P.O.Box 36740-00200
Nairobi, Kenya.
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