TALKING NOTES FOR H.E. THE HIGH COMMISSIONER DURING A
MEETING AT THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON CLIMATE CHANGE:
FRIDAY 14 JULY 2006 AT 11.OOAM
OPENING REMARKS
Hon. Colin Challen, MP,
Chair, All Party Inter Parliamentary Climate Change Group
Hon. Members of the House of Commons
Joshua Wairoto, Deputy Director, Kenya Metrological Services
Aubrey Meyer, Director, Global Commons Institute
Barry Bolton, Chairman, ACM Waste Management Plc.
Invited Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
May I take this opportunity, at the very outset, to sincerely thank Hon.
Colin Challen MP, for inviting me to address this very important
meeting. I am delighted to be able to exchange views with you on the
important subject of climate change and Africa. As you are aware, in
November 2006, Kenya will host the 12^th Conference of the Parties to
the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),
which will also serve as the second meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto
Protocol.
Kenya remains fully committed to addressing the great challenge posed by
climate change, in a sustainable manner, Kenya feels greatly honoured to
have the opportunity to host such a crucial meeting. Kenya signed the
Rio Convention in June 1992 and subsequently ratified it on the 30^th
August 1994.
In order to provide guidance on how to stabilize green- house gases
concentration in the atmosphere, Parties to the convention drew up the
Kyoto Protocol, in which industrialized countries committed themselves,
collectively and individually, to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions
to specific national targets.
Kenya acceded to the Kyoto Protocol on 25 February 2005. By being party
to both the Rio Convention and the Kyoto Protocol, Kenya has agreed to
abide by the provisions of both instruments.
Kenya's commitment to concerted global efforts aimed at mitigating the
adverse effects of climate change, remain unwavering. As the only
developing country that hosts a United Nations Office (UNON), and with
the headquarters of both United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)
and HABITAT based in Nairobi, Kenya has a unique opportunity to
contribute to global environmental issues.
HOSTING THE CLIMATE CHANGE COP 12 IN NAIROBI
In May 2006, the UNFCCC (COP11) accepted Kenya's offer to host COP 12 at
the United Nations Offices in Nairobi (UNON). I am happy to inform you
that at country level, the government has set up an Inter-Ministerial
Preparatory Committee to address all the pertinent issues, including
hospitality, protocol, transport, publicity, finance ' & budget, NGO's
participation, security etc.
I understand the total budget for the conference is USD 11.5 million. I
note with gratitude that the UK has agreed to provide USD350.000 towards
hosting the conference in Nairobi. I take this opportunity on behalf of
the Kenya Government and the people of Kenya to extend our most profound
gratitude to the UK for this timely support. I am also informed that
during informal discussions between Kenya's Minister for Environment,
Hon. Kivutha Kibwana, MP and Hon. Barry Gardiner, UK's Biodiversity
Minister, there were initial talks aimed at securing additional funding
for this worthy cause, lam confident that this support will be forthcoming.
On its part, the Government of Kenya has factored Kshs.186 million,
(USD.2.5 million) into this year’s budget for the Conference.
You will be aware that severe drought conditions, perhaps exacerbated by
deteriorating climatic conditions, ravaged parts of Kenya and the Horn
of Africa in general, causing serious food shortages. You will
appreciate that the government which at the time of offering to host the
conference in 2004, could not have foreseen the coming drought, has been
forced to take austerity measures this financial year.
As a result, we still have a considerable financial shortfall to bridge
if the high logistical and technical standards expected for the meeting
are to be met. Nevertheless, I am confident that this will happen as we
do not doubt the commitment of our partners in ensuring that such an
important meeting proceeds as planned.
Africa & Climate Change:
Having said that let me make a few remarks on Africa and Climate change.
As a layman in this area, I can only mention a few basic facts without
delving into areas that are clearly the province of the experts in this
field.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Climate change is a reality. It affects all countries, but its impact
will and is already being felt most in developing countries,
particularly in Africa. Browsing through the local media here in the UK,
one cannot escape noticing the dire warnings that climate change could
have on many countries, even here in the North.
A part of the Tiger Mountain in Switzerland comprising 2m tons of rock
is said to be due to collapse into a nearby valley anytime now.
If that happens, it will be Europe's biggest rock fall in 15 years, Also
that it is caused by retreat of the Grindelwald glacier which previously
supported the rock face, but has now receded.
We have also read of glaciers melting in the Icelandic, Greenland and
other polar waters and that this will send masses of water that will
bury some coastal cities in Western Europe. Or more chilling, that the
Gulf Stream current could be reversed and make Denmark/UK bitterly cold.
In Africa, particularly East Africa, we are experiencing intense
droughts leading to frequent famines and threat to food security.
African countries such as Kenya, where we rely mostly on hydro-generated
electricity, at 80% of our energy consumption, our industrial bases are
seriously threatened.
Even most affected are the snow caps on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount
Kenya whose cover has been declining at an alarming rate and now stands
at approximately 35% of the amount that was available at the turn of the
century (1903).
We are also experiencing frequent flooding which is responsible for the
destruction of the little infrastructure that we have managed to put in
place, (e.g. the transport network). The floods also affects the
agricultural sector where most staple crops are unable to do well in
extremely wet conditions, thus resulting once again to threat to food
security. Needless to say, most sectors, including health, are adversely
affected by the extreme weather and climate events.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I stress that given the meagre resources at
Africa’s disposal, Africa is unable to cope with these calamities.
Therefore something must be done and quickly in order for Africa to
survive. On behalf of my Government and Kenya being one of the countries
in Africa, 1 feel strongly that, 1 must urge Britain and other European
countries to take the lead in this issue.
Moreover, climate change poses a significant challenge for Africa in its
endeavour to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and the
NEPAD initiatives.
Enrolment in schools goes down, school drop-out rates rise. In general
all these things are intertwined and ultimately, sustainable development
for Africa will remain a pipe dream until and unless adequate
mitigating measures and policies are put in place and implemented.
I know that the required measures, call for profound changes,
particularly with regard to production, distribution and consumption of
energy. Fossil fuels, for instance, provide almost three-quarters of the
world's energy. We shall continue to utilize them for individual use,
agriculture, transport and industry.
A time has come when Africa, and indeed the whole world must explore
innovative options to combat the causes, and ameliorate the effects of
climate change. The world needs to initiate partnerships, especially in
developing countries, to strengthen institutional and technical capacity
to facilitate environmental friendly technologies in Africa and the rest
of the developing world.
There are no easy solutions but we must seek sustainable solutions and
master the requisite political will, commitment and under-standing among
all nations, rich and poor alike, to avert the imminent catastrophe that
awaits all humanity, if we do not act now.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am glad to note that today we are here to create more support For
Contraction and Convergence framework in the:
• UK Parliament;
• Business Community and;
• Generally to raise the level of support for the framework everywhere
especially in the run up to the UNFCCC COP 12 to be held later in
November this year in Nairobi.
I am informed that the Contraction and Convergence principle is a model
which brings every person on the planet on board to address the
challenges of climate change.
It is built on the equity principle and demands that the green house
gases emissions space is equitably shared on per capita basis among all
persons of the world. Thereafter a trading mechanism is set where
those who have excess space could help those who have deficient space
for smooth operations.
Such is a very welcome framework for it addresses the interests of the
developing as well as the developed countries alike. It is for this
reason that Kenya supports this principle.
Mr. Chairman,
In this respect, Kenya has been very active and has worked very closely
with the UK scientists in furthering the understanding of the principle
of Contraction and Convergence.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am informed that the principle of Contraction
and Convergence was first proposed to the United Nations by Africa
in 1997, in Kyoto, Japan.
Since then Kenya has not wavered in its support for the principle and
would like to see the whole world coming out in its support for we
are convinced that it is a better option to address effectively the
long term interests of Africa and for all with regard to the challenges
of climate change.
Mr. Chairman,
The House of Commons taking a leading role in this matter is very
encouraging. Political leaders and leaders in the Government must lead
from the front line in the issue of climate change so that feasible
solutions to the challenges of climate change are achieved and our
countries develop in a sustainable manner thus benefiting our peoples.
The models developed must however be thoroughly tested to ensure that
they will survive the test of time. They must be implemented in a manner
agreeable to ail, to ensure ownership by all. The Contraction and
Convergence Principle must also be treated the same way. It should
therefore be submitted to the International Community for this purpose.
The UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP 12/COP/MOP 2) coming in Nairobi in
November this year (2006) affords all of us an excellent opportunity to
submit this model once more for its thorough assessment by the
scientists to ensure that it stands the test of time and get the crucial
global consensus it needs for it to be embraced by all. I therefore urge
those concerned to undertake the necessary process to have this model
considered as one of the agenda in the forthcoming Climate Change
Conference in Nairobi in November this year.
Finally, let me once again thank Hon. Colin Challen, and all the
distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen for this opportunity to say a few words.
I also wish to extend on behalf of Government of Kenya, an invitation to
you to attend this very important conference in Nairobi, and enjoy the
warmth and hospitality of the people of Kenya.
Thank you.
