Leverage on the UNEP’s 50 years celebration to position Kenya as an environmental management and investments powerhouse

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is celebrating fifty solid years of existence even as countries are battling the effects of global warming and climate change which affected all facets of our lives. This global event is being held in Nairobi, the only city south of Sahara and in the developing world to host the headquarters of a UN Body. Stakeholders should continue to make Nairobi to remain an epitome of environmental governance and management and hence to justify why we were selected to host such an important global office. We should milk all the rights including marketing our country, attracting more investments, and championing in global studies on climate change and global warming. Particularly, we should use such a large gathering to attract more investments in our side. We know that we have immense development needs and as such, funds are available outside there that can be brought our way by such events. In 2021 for example, the global capital available for investments was estimated to be US$ 852 billion, we can slice some of these to support our ambitious development agenda. The event should also be leveraged to improve our tourism, which has been growing, such that last year it grew by 65.4% to 146.51 billion compared to 88.56 billion in 2020.  

The event will deal with environmental issues which if not addressed are going to make the globe unhabitable going forward. Seven key major challenges which the delegates must find sustainable solutions for them are: first, is the menace brought about by plastic pollution in addition to other solid wastes, which has been blamed for clogging of infrastructure and ecosystems. Secondly is the need for green recovery through green investments – clean energy and transport, green buildings, and natural capital. Thirdly is the need for effective ways for climate adaptation and coping mechanisms to global climate vagaries. Fourth is the need for reduction of the nitrogen pollution caused by unsustainable energy production, industries, transportation, and agriculture. Excessive nitrogen in the atmosphere impairs our ability to breathe, see and alter plant growth. Fifth is need for sustainable mineral resource governance, sixth the need to conserve and reduce biodiversity loss, and seventh is the challenge of ensuring good health outcomes amidst the growing global climate change problems.