NAIROBI, Kenya On October 31, President Uhuru Kenyatta is due to lead discussions on Africa’s crucial role in tackling the climate crisis at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland.

The head of state will speak at the World Leaders Summit on the nation’s tactical measures to tackle the problem of climate change in the country.

“On the first day of the talks, President Kenyatta will address the World Leaders’ Summit where he will outline the ambitious actions Kenya is taking to tackle climate change and showcase Kenya as a leader in climate action in the region, ”a joint statement said. published by State House and the British Commission said.

Kenya is leading the way in tackling climate change in the region as it was the first African country to pass a climate change law in 2016.

On October 26, on Acceleration Adaptation Day in Africa, the precursor to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), Kenyatta warned that in the absence of urgent action to adapt to climate change, Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) is likely to contract by up to 30% by 2050.

“Evidence indicates that climate change will have a devastating socio-economic impact across the world and quite severely in Africa. If we do not take action, Africa could, as a result, see its gross domestic product (GDP) contract by up to 30% by 2050 due to climate change, ”Kenyatta said.

He added that COVID-19 had exacerbated the funding situation, with countries around the world collectively allocating more than $ 20 trillion to the pandemic, significantly reducing the resources available to fight climate change.

“However, climate change cannot wait while we tackle Covid-19; we have to tackle both challenges together. Indeed, to make the recovery truly sustainable, we need to institute green recovery measures that incorporate adaptation and mitigation measures, ”he said.

On November 2, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will host President Kenyatta and other leaders at a high-level event on innovation. Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge would later join President Kenyatta in pushing for action to stop and reverse the loss of forests.

The athlete has been at the forefront of forest conservation and restoration, adopting 50 hectares of land in Kaptagat Forest which received part of Sh550 million in UK funding to support the climate transition from Kenya.

Already, the country has set up a global pooled financing facility to finance its ambitious and accelerated reforestation program.

Kenyatta has set an ambitious goal in 2018 to achieve a national forest cover of 10 percent in line with the requirements of the constitution from 2030 through next year. The country needs 48 billion shillings ($ 432 million) to meet this fast-track target.

With an estimated forest cover of 7.24 percent of Kenya’s total area, against the recommended global minimum of 10 percent, Kenya is ranked among the low tree cover countries in the world.

The President will also be accompanied by senior government officials throughout his two-day visit, with various Cabinet Secretaries (CSs), including Keriako Tobiko from the Environment and Ukur Yatani from the Treasury, staying for the different thematic days of the conference.

Tobiko, who is in attendance, said Kenya would be particularly keen to ensure that developed countries fulfill their pledge to provide US $ 100 billion per year for climate change adaptation.

“Kenya and other developing countries were pushing for global finance for climate adaptation to meet the growing needs of vulnerable communities,” said Tobiko.

On November 3, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) will also host a side event on nature-based solutions in which CS Tobiko, PS Dr. Chris Kiptoo and Eliud Kipchoge will participate.

On the same day on the theme of Finance Day, CS Yatani will speak on the event where best practices in climate finance will be highlighted.

On November 4 on the theme of Energy Day, CS dossier Monica Juma will participate in a meeting where leaders will discuss increasing their climate ambition and the actions needed to make clean energy accessible and affordable.

Kenya is committed to achieving 100% clean energy in its national grid by 2030 and the UK is actively supporting Kenya to achieve this, including through UK companies connecting off-grid households to the solar power, the development of a 52 MW solar power plant in Malindi and support for the manufacture of electric vehicles in Kenya.

Representatives from nearly 200 countries are meeting in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12 to flesh out the rules for a new global climate pact. The forum brings together political and private sector leaders to support nature conservation in Africa.