Download IGAD Regional Climate Change Strategy (IRCCS) Validated

PRESS RELEASE
IGAD Regional Climate Change Strategy (IRCCS) Validated
The member states of IGAD have validated the IRCCS that aims to address human
induced climate change in the region.
09 March, 2016 – Nairobi, Kenya: The IGAD Regional Climate Change Strategy was validated
by the member states during a two day workshop held at the Hilton Hotel in Nairobi, from 08 to
09 March 2016. The workshop brought together the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) national focal points and key technical experts from the member
states. They analytically went through the draft document and ironed out contentious issues
delivering a strategy document they felt they owned. The process of developing the Strategy
was participatory and all relevant stakeholders of key socio-economic sectors were consulted.
This validation workshop is an important final step in the consultation process that spanned over
the last six months.
In his opening remarks, Hon Mr Charles Sunkuli, the Principal Secretary in the State
Department of Environment, Natural Resource and Regional Development Authorities, noted
that, “climate change is a global challenge that is attributed to human activities. The IGAD
region is among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, as manifested through
an increase in the frequency and magnitude of extreme events such as droughts and floods.”
Additionally he noted that, “the Paris agreement which is a legally binding treaty on climate
action, contains emission reduction commitments starting in 2020, and establishes an enduring
binding and transparent legal regime, where all countries make commitments to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and manage the impacts of climate change.
In Kenya efforts have been made to mainstream climate change into the national development
agenda through the second medium term plan of 2013-2017 period. Kenya submitted her
Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the UNFCCC in July 2015.”
Dr Guleid Artan, Director of IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) stated
that, “The initiative of IGAD REGIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY 2016-2030, came at a
time when the international community is celebrating the positive outcome from the 21th
Conference of Parties (COP21), held in Paris, France in December 2015. All nations in general
and developed country parties in particular, adopted an ambitious agreement, the ‘Paris
Agreement’ to limit the global warming below 2°C. All the IGAD Member States submitted their
Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) and contributed to the success of
COP21. IGAD organized a side event at COP 21 in Paris in December 2015 to highlight the
progress of the region and bring visibility to the IGAD Regional Climate Change Strategy.
The IGAD region, up to now, was missing a regional climate change strategy that could be used
to harmonize and consolidate national and regional efforts and focus on adaption to climate
change consequences as well as on mitigation measures.”
Some of the key points that emerged were;
- The strategy aims to support member states in their effort to follow low carbon climate
resilient sustainable development.
- It identifies and prioritizes the major climate change challenges and opportunities in the
region and strategic areas of interventions.
- The strategy includes both, mitigation - which seeks to address the root cause of human
induced climate change e.g. lowering the carbon foot print - and preparing for the
inevitable global warming.
- At all levels there needs to be capacity building, financial support and enhancing of
technical capacity to implement this strategy.
Speaking during the closing of the validation workshop on Wednesday, the Director of ICPAC
Dr Guleid Artan congratulated the member states for their active engagement throughout the
strategy formulation process. He also thanked the consulting team for drafting the strategy and
the EU for its financial support of the initiative.
The IGAD Executive Secretary has designated ICPAC as the focal point for UNFCCC. Thus
ICPAC will be coordinating the implementation of the IRCCS.
The IGAD Regional Climate Change Strategy Validation Workshop was convened by ICPAC on
behalf of IGAD and financially supported by the EU; hosted by the Government of the Republic
of Kenya.
The IGAD member states comprises of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South
Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
CONTACT US
IGAD Climate Predictions and Applications Centre/38149929856461
@ICPAC_igad
@icpac1
@ICPAC
www.icpac.net
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Media Contacts:
Mrs. Wawira Jambo, Communications and Outreach Officer, ICPAC [email protected]
About ICPAC:
ICPAC is the specialised IGAD institution which covers IGAD member states plus Tanzania,
Rwanda and Burundi. ICPAC provides climate information in the GHA regions to support
environment management and disaster risk reduction for sustainable development. ICPAC
extends its services to four main sectors including water, agriculture, and health and disaster
risk management.