Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko has called on developed countries to take leadership in reducing their GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions and provide mechanisms for adaptation because they contribute at least 80 per cent of GHGs.
The CS decried lack of commitment from the developed countries who are the largest polluters to support vulnerable countries which are suffering the consequences of the vagaries of climate change.
The CS led the Kenyan delegation in the ongoing Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) High-Level Dialogue with Youth on “Accelerating Adaptation in a Climate Emergency” at the University of Groningen, Netherlands.
“I call upon the youths to seize opportunities, use their large numbers, digital revolutions and power to help reverse the effects of environmental destruction, since the current destruction of nature will affect the future generations,” he said.
Former United Nations Secretary General and Chair of the Board Ban Ki-moon, called for bold solutions to tackle the extraordinary crises being presented by climate change and more so to, to support youth in making the contribution to curb climate change.
Citing former Nobel Laurette Wangari Maathai, he said “ Nature is very generous, but very unforgiving when disturbed “.
The event discussions were meant to explore how youth, academia and most vulnerable communities can collaborate and spur bolder action on adaptation in response to the global climate emergency, and will consider concrete activities that can be taken in advance of and following the 2021 UN Climate Conference at Glasgow, COP26.
Among those who attended the meeting included former President H.E Mohamed Nasheed, of the Maldives, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, H.E. Vera Songwe Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia H.E. Rola Dashti, former Real Madrid soccer player Arjen Robben, Youth representatives of the University of Groningen among others.
