Kenya ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC) on 30th August 1994 thereby signifying her determination to join the international community in combating the problem of climate change. The ultimate objective of the Convention is ….”Stabilization of the greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system ….”

 The UNFCCC

The UNFCCC includes commitments for all signatory Parties and additional commitments for Annex I countries (industrialized countries plus countries with economies in transition mainly Central and Eastern Europe) and Annex II countries (only industrialized countries) Annex II countries include support to non-Annex I countries to meet their obligations under the Convention

Climate Change Issues in Kenya
The challenge for Kenya is to develop strategies, which would promote sustainable development, without compromising in increased emission of GHGs. It is necessary therefore to develop appropriate policies and response strategies to manage GHG emissions. Policies and strategies must be based on reliable inventory of GHG emissions and sinks. The First National Communication of Kenya is the main output of the enabling activity project. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources through the National Environment Secretariat (now NEMA)executed the Climate Change Enabling Activity. In this document, four thematic areas were identified in accordance with the UNFCCC guidelines for the preparation of Non-Annex 1 national communication, these were namely:

i. National GHG Inventory, Abatement, Sinks and Sequestration
ii. Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change
iii. Research and Systematic Observation
iv. Awareness and understanding of climate change issue
Other broad climate change issues in Kenya.

i. Clean Development Mechanism
ii. Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies
iii. Synergy with other MEAs
iv. Climate Change Mitigation Strategies and Policy Frameworks
v. Convention Negotiation Capacity including issues of Equity