Kibaki calls for political will on climate change

By Athman Amran

More political will from governments is needed to address climate change, President Kibaki has said.

He said although Western nations emit most of the carbon dioxide, Africa suffers the most. "We demand all nations undertake carbon emissions target," Kibaki said yesterday.

The President spoke when he officially opened the Africa Carbon Forum at the United Nations offices at Gigiri in Nairobi. More than 100 delegates from over 30 African countries are attending the three-day forum.

Kibaki said Africa benefits less from the Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM), in which industrialised countries with greenhouse gas reduction commitment under the Kyoto Protocol invest in ventures that reduce emissions in developing countries.

This is as an alternative to more expensive emission reductions in industrialised countries.

"There is need to be involved in negotiations to ensure Africa is adequately catered for," he said.

The President said forestry and land use in Africa has great advantage and potential. He, however, pointed out forestry and land use was not anchored within the CDM.

He urged scholars and negotiators to show real value of forests in carbon reduction and urged the private sector and the community to play a major role.

"Success of the CDM market will depend on global will and financial support to developing countries," he said.

Create awareness

Forestry and Wildlife Minister Noah Wekesa challenged politicians to educate Kenyans on climate change and how it is already causing havoc.

He said due to climate change Kenya has experienced prolonged drought, heavy flooding and landslides.

"Due to prolonged drought we have lost people, animals and wildlife. We lost ten percent of wildlife in the last drought," Dr Wekesa said.

He said due to the destruction of forests there is only 1.7 percent forest cover remaining.

"This is not a good situation. We have a programme to raise the forest cover to 10 per cent by 2012," he added.