Kenyan Youth Spearhead Climate Action Agenda for African Climate Summit

Date: June 9, 2023

In a dynamic and empowering initiative, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in collaboration with the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, recently hosted a transformative Breakfast Roundtable in Kenya. The event, led by H.E. Soipan Tuya, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change, aimed to engage Kenyan youth in the climate change space, gather their invaluable insights, and harness their innovative ideas for the upcoming African Climate Action Summit (ACAS) and Africa Climate Week (ACW).

A highlight of the discussions revolved around the youth committee responsible for organizing the Youth Pre-Summit, which serves as a platform to capture youth perspectives, showcase exemplary practices, and advocate for the adoption of youth-led, locally-driven climate actions. During the Roundtable, the youth ardently voiced their desire to expand the committee’s representation to include youth from across Kenya and the entire continent, recognizing that the summit’s scope extends far beyond national boundaries. They stressed the need to prioritize the inclusion of vulnerable youth who have pioneered climate innovation solutions, thereby safeguarding their communities from the ravages of climate change. Empowering these young minds to share their innovations at the summit emerged as a key objective.

Crucial recommendations were presented by the youth to the Cabinet Secretary, outlining their expectations for the summit’s agenda. Foremost was the urgent call for expanding the youth pre-event to incorporate youth delegates from various counties in Kenya, as well as from across Africa. The youth emphasized the continental nature of the initiative and the necessity of fostering pan-African collaboration to tackle climate challenges collectively.

Recognizing the vital role of financial support in translating ideas into tangible action, the youth strongly advocated for lobbying and pushing for youth-led climate innovation financing. This financing mechanism would facilitate the realization, upscaling, and outscaling of their groundbreaking concepts, bringing them to life on a broader scale. By championing this cause, the youth seek to secure the necessary resources to implement their innovative solutions and make a lasting impact in their communities.

Moreover, the youth called for a shift in the climate discourse, urging a departure from climate politics and a reorientation toward science-based solutions. By prioritizing scientific evidence and expertise, decision-makers can lay the foundation for effective policies and initiatives that address the pressing challenges posed by climate change. The youth’s plea for evidence-based solutions underscores their unwavering commitment to combatting climate change through sound scientific principles.

Finally, the youth articulated their desire to showcase their innovative best practices at both the pre-youth summit and the main African Climate Action Summit. By highlighting their achievements, these young visionaries hope to inspire others, create role models, and galvanize collective action in the fight against climate change.

In response to the youth’s passionate recommendations, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change expressed her commitment to evaluating and incorporating their proposals into the summit’s framework. Furthermore, she encouraged the youth to continue developing strong, innovative ideas that would captivate the audience and compel action.

The Kenyan youth have indeed emerged as trailblazers, spearheading the climate action agenda and setting an example for the entire continent. Their powerful, informative, and persuasive voices have resonated, sparking a transformative movement that recognizes the urgent need for youth engagement, financing mechanisms, science-based solutions, and the showcasing of best practices.