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By Henry Neondo
The Government of Kenya announced Wednesday to have submitted its second Nationally Determined Contribution to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), outlining its climate change blueprint for the period 1st January, 2031 to 31st December, 2035.
According to Dr Deborah Barasa, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Kenya has successfully met its submission deadline of 30th April 2025, which demonstrates its unwavering dedication and commitment to advancing it global climate action.
“The NDC underscores Kenya’s continued commitment to bold, inclusive and fast forward looking climate action, despite increasing global uncertainty,” said Dr Barasa.
She said this NDC was developed through a comprehensive, whole-of-society approach engaging a diverse range of stakeholders ensuring it captures the country’s diverse perspectives and aspirations.
Under the new NDCs, Kenya government commits to a Climate-Resilient Vision where livelihoods, communities, socio-economic sectors, infrastructure and ecosystems, will thrive despite the current and projected impacts of climate change. The NDC outlines bold adaptation measures, as well as loss and damage measures aligned to this vision.
In addition, the country commits to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 35% by 2035, compared to the Business As Usual (BAU) projection of 215 Million tons of Carbon Dioxide equivalent (MtCO2eq). This translates to an emissions reduction of 75.25 Million tons of Carbon Dioxide equivalent (MtCO2eq) by 2035.
To achieve this target, Kenya will however have to mobilize domestic resources, and deliver 20% of the emission reductions while seeking for international support, including finance, investments, technology development and transfer, and capacity building, as well as participation in carbon markets to achieve the remaining 80%.
It is estimated that Kenya needs USD.56 Billion for Mitigation and Adaptation actions across sectors from 1st January, 2031 till 31st December, 2035, of which, depending on national circumstances, approximately 19% (USD 10.5Billion, at USD2.1Billion per year) of this budget will be from domestic sources.
The implementation of this Kenya’s New Nationally Determined Contribution (2031-2035) is expected to drive transformative economic development and innovation, and inclusive growth across key sectors of the Kenyan economy.
Dr Barasa noted that since the NDC implementation period extends beyond Kenya Vision 2030, it will be revised to align with the country’s forthcoming Long-Term Development Vision once finalized.
She reaffirmed the country’s leadership in global climate change and called upon the international community to support this bold and ambitious agenda which aims to unlock sustainable development opportunities.