THE EFFICACY OF THE UN FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (UNFCCC) IN PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY IN AFRICA A CASE OF PARIS AGREEMENT IN KENYA

Abstract

The research study looks at the efficacy of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC) in promoting environmental security in Africa; a case of Paris agreement in Kenya. The following three research questions were answered by the study: 1) What frameworks do African states like Kenya follow in the domestication of the UNFCCC and its protocols to attain environmental security? 2) How has the Paris agreement contributed towards environmental security in Kenya? 3) What are the challenges and opportunities in adopting Paris agreement towards attaining Environmental security in Kenya? A case study was used for this research to demonstrate the status of the implementation of UNFCCC and Paris agreement in Kenya and to show the context in the entire Africa, with regards to promotion of environmental security. The study adopted a qualitative approach in data collection, whereby eleven people including policymakers, researchers, environmentalists, CSOs and international NGO representatives were engaged in an in-depth interview session to share their observations and opinions. All the focal points of UNFCCC secretariat in Paris agreement were well represented in the interviews. Secondary data was used to complement the findings of the study. The sectors that were highlighted by the study as most vulnerable to climate change were Agriculture, tourism and wildlife, health and energy, natural resources and environment. The environmental insecurities highlighted were drought, floods, rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, poor agricultural productivity, death of wildlife, migration of wildlife, dumping of hazardous wastes and extreme wind patterns. The study found out that Kenya, as a signatory to UNFCCC has made progressive milestones towards its implementation. Kenya has intended Nationally Determined Contributions in response to the adoption of COP22. The country also has a participatory approach towards attainment of vision 2030 and the sustainable development goals. Other actions are in tree planting campaigns intended to increase tree cover by 10%. Kenya is adopting low carbon by embracing green energy technologies. There is investment in scientific research to come up with sound innovations. To achieve this, Kenya has partnered with the developed countries for funding, technology and transfer of innovations. Amongst the frameworks and guidelines that Kenya has put in place are Kenya Climate Change Act 2016, Energy Act 2019, National Climate Change Action plan 2018-2022, the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy 2010-2020, among others. The challenges identified to be slowing down the implementation of UNFCCC and Paris agreement were inadequate financing, inadequate technologies weak governance systems and poor coordination of institutions. For effective implementation of UNFCCC and the Paris agreement towards enhancement of environmental security, the study recommends that needs assessment should be undertaken before any research work so as to inform the point of action in implementation of projects aimed at combating climate change. African countries should be more innovative in securing and managing funds for such projects. Currently, there are many policies and guidelines which have not been well utilized. There should be action plans for their implementation. Countries should deliberately go for participatory approaches by state and non-state actors and faith organizations in climate actions. There should be hard laws so that countries that do not implement the UNFCCC and Paris agreement as they committed are penalized. There is need to enhance co-ordination of implementing agencies on Climate change adaptation in Kenya. Awareness creation on climate change adaption and Paris agreement initiatives should be emphasized by all implementing agencies for support and participation by all stakeholders.