Following a request submitted to the Eastern African Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance by the Kenyan Alliance National Focal Point, the Alliance, in collaboration with GIZ, UNFCCC-RCC Kampala, Africa Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC-Kenya), organized a carbon markets workshop training for Kenyan youth/young professionals from 15th June 2021 to 17th June 2021.

The aim of the workshop was to raise awareness on carbon market activities in Kenya and on the status of negotiations under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Itstrengthened key youth institutions and young professional stakeholders’ knowledge of carbon market mechanisms, explored the opportunities available for the youth to engage in the implementation of Article 6, discussed lessons learned from CDM implementation and  linkages of the new market mechanisms to NDCs.

The virtual training workshop brought together a targeted group of young professionals and key youth institutions across Kenya with representatives from the public and private sector, financing institutions, and technical experts.

The young professionals were taken through subject matter on  carbon markets as a policy instrument, foundations on the UNFCCC, the journey from the Kyoto Protocol to the Paris Agreement, the Carbon Asset Project Development Cycle, Carbon Standards, Transactional costs, calculations of emission reductions,, and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Knowledge was tested with quizzes and with interactive features incorporated such as polls and brain break exercises.

The workshop training also featured Kenyan guest speakers with vast experience such as the presentation given by Ms. Clarice Wambua, Partner at Cliffer Dekker Hofmeyr, on carbon markets as a policy instrument and Mr. David Lubaga, a verifier with Tuv Nord, on the role of the auditor. Young professionals working in the space provided a project developer perspective and insight into different sectoral projects in natured based solutions, electricity generation and improved cookstoves. This included Ms. Christina Ender (Conservation International), Stanley Kiraoku (KenGen) and  Sally Gakii and Lillian Kagume (Climate Care) respectively.  More than 60 youth and young professionals attended the three days sessions. Although it was primarily targeted at a Kenyan audience there was representation from the region and Alliance member countries Rwanda, Sudan and Uganda with participants nominated by the Alliance focal points.

Watch the sessions here