The Paris Agreement of 2015 established a global goal focusing on enhancing adaptation and mitigation by reducing vulnerabilities to climate change and causes of global warming in the context of the 2oC temperature goal. The agreement further establishes a financial framework balancing be- tween adaptation and mitigation. It provides clear guidelines on financial (Green Climate Fund) flow consistent with lowering the current emission and building resilience.
Indeed, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) was asked to expedite support to developing countries for formulating National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and their implementation. As of September 2016, the GCF raised USD 10.3 billion equivalent in pledges from 43 state governments for mitigation and adaptation.
The GCF will function in addition to preexisting multilateral and bilateral climate funds. Climate vulnerable countries, such as Kenya, that demonstrate capacity to channel these funds to the most vulnerable, while demonstrating strong fiduciary standards, will be well placed to access global climate finance. In Kenya, preestablished county level funds such as the Wajir and Makueni County Climate Change Funds could prove to be versatile mechanisms through which to channel this funding.
Their devolved nature could also make them preferred mechanisms for direct access to fund disbursements, supporting the county driven focus of the fund. Access to the fund is in accordance with the County Climate Change Fund (CCCF) regulations anchored on the Kenyan Constitution (2010) and Kenya Climate Change Act of 2016. The Kenyan Constitution and Kenya Climate Change Act grants county government’s authority and responsibility for developing the social and economic aspects of their county according to the local priorities. In addition the Kenya Climate Change act creates the climate change fund to finance implementation of climate change activities.
