Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change in Kenya: Anasssessment of the Paris Agreement
Abstract
The study largely focuses in analyzing the mitigating climate change effects in Kenya, an
assessment of Paris Agreement. It examined the performance of Paris Agreement in mitigating the
impacts brought upon by changes in climate, the opportunities as well as the challenges facing the
implementation of Paris Agreement along with its prospects for climate mitigating change. The
study also set out two hypotheses, firstly, the opportunities and Prospects Kenya has Paris
agreement on mitigation of climate change and secondly, challenges that Kenya is facing regarding
mitigating the impacts of changes in the climate as outlined in the Paris agreement. Both primary
as well as secondary data were used in the study. In regards to primary data, a total of two hundred
questionnaires were distributed for data collection, and one hundred and twenty one were filled
and returned back. The data have been analysed on excel sheet and presented in form tables and
bar graphs. Content analysis has used to interpret the data collected from the respondents. The
study also used secondary data to analyse the information in the Paris agreement, data from other
researches and journals.
The study has established that while Kenya's primary focus is on adaptability and fostering
resilience, it is imperative to also incorporate mitigation measures into the country's climate
response. Kenya possesses considerable potential for mitigation owing to its immense land area,
woodlands, and farming systems, and oceanic resources. Moreover, Kenya boasts unparalleled
potential for renewable energy, particularly solar energy, which can be harnessed for its own
developmental needs. By fully capitalizing on this mitigation potential, Kenya can draw in a
sizable amount of funding to support efforts aimed at resilience-building and adaptation. The
enormous supply of unexplored clean renewable energy in Kenya provides a distinct advantage
for low-emission development and potentially enables the utilization and commercialization of
carbon dioxide removal technology. Additionally, Kenya is in a good position to supply the
increasing need for clean energy around the world, including for cutting-edge technologies like
green hydrogen, that is anticipated to replace fossil fuels in the future as costs fall down and
technology progresses. In a short amount of time, Kenya may go from being a food-insecure nation
to a net food exporter through the application of climate-smart sustainable water and land-use
practices, agricultural methods, and ecosystem management.
The study further found that despite the challenges Kenya is facing climate change mitigation
actions are frequently depicted as hindrances to economic growth or diversions from more pressing
development objectives. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that embracing proactive
measures towards achieving clean, low-emission growth can actually serve as a strategic advantage
for the continent. Such actions can foster the development of essential skills, technologies, and
industries that will be crucial in the future. Consequently, they can contribute to the creation of
employment opportunities, enhance global competitiveness, and facilitate sustainable growth and
industrialization. Finally, the study recommends that mitigation measures should be implemented
in accordance to Paris agreement, national policies as well as international targets. Climate change
council and county climate change units should help coordinate initiatives on local technology
transfers, climate finance and community driven capacity building.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
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