Kenya has solidified its status as a climate action front-runner in Africa by submitting its Second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The NDC, covering the period 2031 to 2035, outlines an ambitious plan to build a climate-resilient, low-carbon future amid mounting global climate challenges.
Submitted by the April 30, 2025 deadline, the new NDC commits Kenya to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 35% equivalent to 75.25 million tons of carbon dioxiderelative to projected business-as-usual levels by 2035. This target places Kenya among the few African nations with a clear and long-term decarbonization strategy.
“This document is not just a report. It is Kenya’s blueprint for building a resilient society where livelihoods, communities, and ecosystems thrive despite the climate crisis,” said Dr. Deborah M. Barasa, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry.
To finance the plan, Kenya projects a requirement of USD 56 billion over five years. Of this, approximately USD 10.5 billion (19%) will be sourced domestically, while the remaining 81% will be mobilized through international partnerships in climate finance, technology transfer, capacity building, and carbon markets. The domestic contribution reflects strong national ownership of the climate agenda.
The NDC was developed through an inclusive, whole-of-society approach involving stakeholders from various sectors and communities, reinforcing the government’s commitment to equitable and inclusive development. It also anticipates integration with Kenya’s post-Vision 2030 development blueprint, ensuring alignment with long-term national priorities.
This submission arrives at a time of intensifying global climate anxiety, especially in the Global South. Kenya’s renewed climate ambition signals a powerful call for genuine global cooperation.
“With this submission, Kenya invites the world to partner in unlocking sustainable development opportunities that will shape a greener, more inclusive future for all,” Dr. Barasa emphasized.
Kenya’s forward-thinking strategy sets a hopeful precedent, encouraging other developing nations to match bold climate action with coordinated implementation and international solidarity.
