The Alliance brings member states together with the shared objective of strengthening both the understanding and effective implementation of high-integrity carbon markets, while maximizing the potential of climate finance.
The Eastern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance is a coalition of seven member countries, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Sudan.
The Alliance was established in June 2019 during the 50th sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies; this was out of the need to participate, shape and enhance the regional readiness with regard to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and the Voluntary Carbon Market.
Under the Paris Agreement, all parties, including those of the Eastern Africa region need to present mitigation targets, hence member countries want to explore market mechanisms that can provide cost-efficient solutions for reaching their targets as identified in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
The various projects registered under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol provided valuable lessons for the Eastern Africa region. Countries aim to ensure a smooth transition of such projects with high sustainability impacts into the international market mechanism under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
The secretariat of the Alliance is hosted by the UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Center for East and Southern Africa in Kampala.
The Eastern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance aims to strengthen capacities of the member countries as well as offer a platform where countries can share experiences and foster a regional approach towards the future international carbon mechanism of Article 6 (PA) and climate finance.
The promotion of a common vision on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance within the Eastern Africa region.
The overall objectives of the Eastern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance are to promote the long-term position and participation of Eastern Africa countries in international carbon markets and increase the region’s capacities to access climate finance for NDC implementation. In order to achieve these objectives, member countries have identified Alliance National Focal Points who are responsible for raising country needs and coordinating Alliance activities within their national context.
The Eastern African Alliance exists to facilitate readiness of member countries to participate in international carbon markets and access climate finance. We work primarily on the guidance of member states to delivery on capacity needs identified through national focal points.
Each country appoints a focal point to support the activities of the alliance and act as a liaison between the government and the secretariat.
The roles of the focal points include:
The Alliance serves as a knowledge repository for carbon markets and climate finance. In this position, we keep track of trends in international markets both by engaging in international fora and by understanding the technical requirements for different aspects of market engagement.
The Alliance collaborates with leading consulting firms, international organizations and synergistic programs to deliver on country needs.
We serve as a collaborative space for countries where regional members can learn from the journies and experiences others have taken.
Our approach is based on four pillars:
