Counties set aside Sh3 billion for climate change

CoG chairperson Anne Waiguru. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

The Council of Governors (COG) has asserted that county governments are ready to implement actions against climate change.

COG chairperson Anne Waiguru said the devolved units are at the forefront of delivering a catalysed low carbon economy and sustainable development.

Waiguru was speaking at the Africa Climate Summit during the launch of the Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategies (LT-LEDS), National Climate Change Action Plan (III) 2023-2027, Climate Change (Amendment) Act, 2023 and Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) County Grants.

She pointed out that all the county governments have enacted and implemented the requisite policy and legal climate change frameworks that anchor various processes and structures to galvanise climate action at the local level.

She noted that counties have cumulatively allocated Sh3 billion towards climate action.

Further, they have institutionalised the ward and sub-county climate change planning committees that identify, plan and prioritize adaptions and mitigation projects based on their needs to accelerate adaptive capacity and resilience building.

Waiguru thanked President William Ruto for the Sh7.4 billion FLLoCA grants that were handed to counties, saying it embodies Kenya Kwanza's bottom-up transformation approach.

Waiguru emphasised that climate objectives and aspirations will be met through community and country-led projects that include afforestation and reforestation programs aligning with the 15 billion tree-growing agenda and clean energy development, integrated water resources management, climate-smart agriculture, disaster management, transition to circular economy and climate proofing of county infrastructure among others.

"The launch today brings us together to celebrate the journey towards the envisaged low carbon development pathway by fostering cooperation, collaboration and learning between the national and county governments, as well as advancing the common goal of green growth and climate finance solutions in Africa and the World," she said.

She also underscored the importance of implementing targeted capacity-building initiatives, innovations and knowledge management programs in counties as a way of building strong institutions.

She said that the launch of the county grants was a significant milestone that celebrates a two-level system of governance and a benchmark to African Nations and the globe in the collective journey towards driving green growth and climate finance solutions for Africa and the world.

She reiterated the county governments' commitment to investments in climate adaptation and mitigation.