Climate Change (KEKAK0002)

Commitment ID

KEKAK0002

Commitment Title

Climate Change

Problem

Under the Open Government Partnership (OGP), the commitment to address climate change seeks to resolve several interconnected challenges spanning economic, social, political, and environmental spheres:
- Economic: Climate change threatens economic stability by damaging infrastructure, reducing agricultural productivity, and increasing the cost of disaster recovery. This commitment aims to promote sustainable development, encourage green investment, and support the transition to low-carbon economies.
- Social: Climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, leading to food insecurity, displacement, and loss of livelihoods. The OGP commitment strives to empower marginalized groups, particularly those in rural or low-lying areas, by ensuring their voices are included in decision-making processes.
- Political: In many countries, political inaction on climate change is a result of insufficient transparency and accountability. The commitment calls for better governance and public engagement in climate policy formulation to ensure that governments are accountable for their climate actions.
- Environmental: Climate change is a leading cause of biodiversity loss, extreme weather events, and ecosystem degradation. The OGP commitment seeks to implement policies that mitigate these impacts through environmental conservation and adaptation strategies.

Status quo

Kakamega County has made significant strides in addressing climate change through a comprehensive action plan and a variety of initiatives aimed at both mitigation and adaptation. The county government, led by Governor Fernandes Barasa, has committed to investing Sh5 billion over the next five years to combat climate change. This includes projects such as promoting renewable energy, enhancing water schemes, and supporting the sweet potato value chain. These efforts are aligned with global goals and supported by partners like the World Bank under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Actions (FLLoCA) Program.

The county also launched several climate governance structures, such as the Kakamega County Climate Change Technical Working Group and the Ward Climate Change Committees. These groups will focus on grassroots implementation of climate actions, including tree planting and promoting non-motorized transport. In particular, the distribution of bicycles to community health promoters and climate change committee members is one of the county's efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Action

Under the Open Government Partnership (OGP) framework, Kakamega County, like other counties in Kenya, is encouraged to adopt transparent, accountable, and participatory approaches to tackle climate change. Climate change under the OGP entails efforts to engage citizens, civil society, and stakeholders in decision-making processes related to environmental protection, adaptation, and mitigation strategies. This involves ensuring access to climate data, promoting climate-resilient infrastructure, and implementing policies to reduce carbon emissions. Kakamega County is expected to develop action plans that reflect local climate risks, involving public participation in creating and monitoring these plans. This approach encourages collaboration between government institutions, communities, and environmental experts to build adaptive capacity, implement climate-smart agriculture, and enhance disaster risk management to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Ultimately, the goal is to foster a more sustainable and resilient environment through open governance.

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?

Climate change can contribute to solving public problems in Kakamega County under the Open Government Partnership (OGP) by enhancing transparency, collaboration, and sustainable development. Through open data platforms, the county can engage citizens in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, such as promoting sustainable agriculture, disaster resilience, and water management. OGP can facilitate access to climate data, allowing the public to participate in decision-making on policies that affect food security, infrastructure, and health. Involving local communities in climate action plans ensures inclusive solutions, while monitoring systems allow citizens to track progress and hold leaders accountable. By integrating climate change into public governance, Kakamega can address environmental, social, and economic challenges, fostering a resilient and sustainable future for its people.

What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?

The commitment to addressing climate change in Kakamega County aligns with the long-term goals outlined in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Strategic Vision, particularly the objectives of enhancing public participation and promoting sustainable development. These goals emphasize transparency in governance, the inclusion of citizens in decision-making, and the integration of environmental considerations into public policy. By leveraging open data and collaborative platforms, this commitment supports the OGP’s vision of creating accountable, responsive, and sustainable governments. The incorporation of climate action into the open government framework also aligns with the goal of fostering inclusive growth and ensuring that policies contribute to long-term environmental resilience. Furthermore, it facilitates data-driven governance, which underpins efforts to combat climate change while ensuring that all stakeholders have a voice in shaping the future of the county. This is crucial for building a more resilient and equitable community, reflecting the OGP’s broader vision for transparent, accountable, and participatory governance.

Primary Policy Area

Crisis Response, Inclusion

Primary Sector

Cross-sectoral, Environment & Climate

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?