Well it is? Let’s take a look. First and foremost, Kenya is a third world country with third world problems. Before the government can even combat climate change, there are a number of issues that need to be addressed.
In which case, poverty takes the cake. With almost half of the population lacking employment, the government cannot hope to fight carbon emissions without giving a few of its people some jobs.
Before you start boasting about being the first African country to have climate change laws, think about the BP Oil spill of 2010. The coast of cleaning up that mess is expected to reach about USD 40 million (KES 3.4 trillion) Now imagine a third world country that can barely deal with a single dumpsite in Nakuru cleaning up a spill of such epic proportions. Luckily, that is not the problem at hand. Even still, garbage control in Nakuru’s dumpsite needed KES 700 million worth of funding. What about the pollution in the atmosphere that can’t always be seen? How much will that cost?
Well, according to the 2012 Kenya Climate Control Plan report, government meetings alone will eventually cost tax-payers more than KES 3.3 million. Implementation and development will cost KES 72 million while proposals and outside consultation should cost another KES 48 million.
The report states that another KES 41 million is needed for capacity building. Coming up with a national forest inventory, training programmes, developing a monitoring system as well as other technical capacity building procedures should cost about KES 1.5 billion. The project expects to get the bulk of its funding from the UNFCCC and other international organisations. By end of 2013, all the funding procedures will have been confirmed
They Have a Plan
According to an Action Plan from the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, the government is committed to setting up frameworks in order to deal with climate change. The Ministry reports that their National Climate Change Response Strategy Action Plan will be implemented through a policy known as Sub-component 2 (SC2)
The Ministry believes that SC2 will ensure long term climate resilient growth and low carbon development pathways.
Parliament has since implemented the Climate Change Authority Act 2012. The purpose of the Act is to provide a framework for Kenyans to adapt to the effects of climate change in all sectors of the economy. Breaking this down to a more personal level, this means that the government plans to control how much garbage and pollution the common man puts into the atmosphere. Anyone found breaking climate change laws can face up to 5 years in prison or be forced to pay a fine of up to KES 2 million.
Major corporations that require large amounts of energy to run their businesses face stricter fines which are to be determined by the Act. They should therefore be thanking their lucky stars for the Turkana Wind Project and the geothermal power-plant initiative in Olkaria.
But how, exactly, will they enforce this?
Well, like every problem the government faces, a committee must be formed. In which case, Parliament has sanctioned the formation of an Authority tasked with enforcing the Act.
The Authority will be comprised of at least 5 Board Members, including a Chairperson, a Principal Secretary and a CEO. If you’re looking for jobs in this sector, the Bill reports that applicants need a degree from a recognized institution. They also require 10 years experience in the fields of either environmental science, agriculture, climatology, economics or environmental law.
Candidates are then selected through a rigorous process, officiated by the Cabinet Secretary, pending approval from Parliament itself.
The Authority will be in charge of monitoring and reporting on carbon emissions from both public and private entities. They will also be expected to form a national registry to monitor these emissions.
They will serve as a national information resource center for disseminating information on green house emissions.
The move follows an Executive Brief from the National Climate Change Response Strategy(NCCRS) which confirms what the rest of the world has known for years; climate change is real. The brief reports that Kenya has been experiencing irregular rainfall and prolonged drought.
According to the document, plans to reduce carbon emissions include the introduction of low cost transport. In this regard, the NCCRS intends to push for new modes of cheaper public transport. So they actually plan to fight carbon emissions by bringing in more cars. What’s more, the brief states that they also plan to de-congest traffic by introducing pedestrian walkways.
Imagine a businessman leaving his shiny new BMW to walk to work so that he can reduce his carbon footprint. At best, their idea seems laughable. It may be viable in some First World countries but Kenya has a long way to go.
And what powers do these holier-than-thou individuals possess?
The Climate Bill has given them the ability to take, purchase, acquire or dispose of a person’s property in cases that involve pollution. The organization also has the mandate to borrow money and enter into contracts in order to enact their duties. Apparently, the weight of their borrowing will be shouldered by the taxpayers. The Bill states that fiscal circumstances like taxation, public spending and public borrowing will play a major role in what is described as the Climate Change Trust Fund.
The Authority will have the power to control and manage their assets as they see fit. They will be able to open and maintain bank accounts to fund their initiative.
So the next time you decide to drive that smoke spitting rust bucket you call a car, know that it is you who’s footing the bill for all that atmospheric garbage. And even if you’re just some desk clerk minding his own business, keep in mind that pollution is part of your expenditure. The Bill is still in its budding stages so, just like climate change, it may take some time before you feel the effects in your pockets.