How Kenya is fixing her forest cover

Kenya is embarking on an ambitious plan to restore its forest cover and combat the effects of climate change. The country's Chief Conservator of Forests, Julius Kamau, recently sat down with CNBC Africa to discuss Kenya's efforts in this area. Following the conclusion of the Conference of Parties COP27, where a deal was reached to allocate $100 billion for developing nations, Kenya is taking proactive steps to address climate change. One of the key initiatives is the establishment of a Climate Mitigation Council to oversee all climate change matters. Additionally, Kenya plans to plant five billion trees over the next five years, a monumental task that highlights the country's commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability. Kenya's focus on increasing its forest cover stems from the understanding of the critical role that forests play in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Forests not only serve as water catchment areas but also contribute to creating resilience and adaptation capabilities for the country and its people. A recent assessment revealed that Kenya's tree cover stands at 12.13%, surpassing the 10% threshold set by the President. The forest cover has also seen significant growth, reaching 8.83% from 5.9% in 2018. Despite these achievements, President Dr. William Luthor has set a new target for the country to grow its tree cover to 30% by 2032, requiring the restoration of 10.6 million hectares and the planting of 15 billion trees over the next decade. To fund this massive reforestation effort, Kenya is exploring a combination of international support and internal resources. The country aims to tap into the $100 billion annual fund pledged at COP27 to assist developing nations in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. Domestically, Kenya is mobilizing government funding, private sector partnerships, and community involvement to drive the tree planting initiative. The goal is not just to plant trees for the sake of it but to create green jobs and sustainable livelihoods for local communities. Half of the 5 billion tree seedlings planned for the next five years will be produced by the private sector and community groups, fostering economic opportunities and environmental stewardship. The country's approach to forest conservation also includes empowering forest adjacent communities to become allies in protecting forest resources. By engaging local communities in conservation efforts and providing access to forest resources for economic activities like ecotourism and sustainable agriculture, Kenya aims to combat illegal logging and enhance forest protection. The government is also investing in increasing the capacity of the Kenya Forest Service by hiring additional staff to safeguard forest reserves. Furthermore, Kenya is exploring the potential of carbon financing through carbon credits as a sustainable funding mechanism for forest conservation. The government is working on a legal framework to enable the public sector to engage in carbon trading and attract funding through carbon credits. The establishment of the National Climate Change Council will provide guidance on this initiative, ensuring a fair and effective mechanism for supporting forest financing through carbon credits. Kenya's commitment to restoring its forest cover and addressing climate change reflects a proactive approach to environmental sustainability and green growth. By mobilizing internal and external resources, engaging local communities, and exploring innovative financing mechanisms like carbon credits, Kenya is paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future.