Kenya Begins Review of National Environment Policy to Tackle Climate Challenges
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has launched a nationwide review of the National Environment Policy, 2013, marking a major step in repositioning Kenya’s environmental governance to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities.
Speaking during a consultative forum bringing together key stakeholders, the Principal Secretary for environment and climate change Festus Ng’eno said the policy review comes at a critical moment, as climate change impacts intensify, biodiversity continues to decline, and pollution and land degradation pose growing risks to livelihoods and economic growth.
The National Environment Policy, first developed over a decade ago, has guided the sustainable management of Kenya’s natural resources and upheld the constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment under Article 42.
However, the PS noted that Kenya’s environmental and development landscape has evolved significantly, requiring a more responsive, science-based, and implementable framework.
“The review is not just a procedural update. It is a strategic repositioning of our country to address contemporary environmental challenges while unlocking new economic opportunities,” the PS said.
The revised policy will be aligned with the Constitution of Kenya, Vision 2030, the Fourth Medium Term Plan (MTP IV), and international commitments such as the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.
It will also support the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda by recognizing environmental sustainability as a key enabler of inclusive growth, job creation, and resilience across sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, water, energy, tourism, and housing.
Key priorities highlighted include ecosystem restoration in line with the presidential directive to grow 15 billion trees by 2032, protection of critical water towers, and increasing forest cover. The review will also emphasize climate resilience and disaster risk reduction, shifting from reactive responses to proactive planning.
Emerging focus areas in the updated policy include sustainable and green financing, carbon markets, technology and innovation for environmental monitoring, circular economy approaches to waste management, natural capital valuation, and strengthened action against invasive species and biodiversity loss.
The PS underscored the importance of meaningful public participation, warning against token consultation. He assured stakeholders that their views and aspirations would be fully considered in the final policy.
“As we confront the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, this process must be inclusive, transparent, and data-driven,” he said, officially declaring the stakeholder review process open.