Kenya Sets a New Standard: First REDD+ Registry in Africa Launched Through Innovative UK Partnership to Enhance Climate Action

Kenya recently took a major step in fighting climate change by launching its first-ever REDD+ Registry. This important move was made in collaboration with the UK and signals strong cooperation in global climate efforts.

The REDD+ Registry is groundbreaking—it’s the first of its kind in Africa. Developed with the help of Conservation International, this digital platform tracks and manages emissions reductions from activities aimed at reducing deforestation and forest degradation.

During the launch, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Deborah Barasa, emphasized that this registry will improve forest management and help attract climate finance. She stated that it showcases Kenya’s commitment to environmental honesty and community-centered conservation. The registry will also serve as the backbone for Kenya’s National Carbon Market, recording and verifying emission reductions and forest carbon credits.

This initiative aligns with Kenya’s goals under the Paris Agreement, particularly Article 6, which encourages countries to collaborate on carbon market initiatives. By implementing the registry, Kenya strengthens its transparency and accountability in international carbon markets.

Additionally, the launch included the Kenya REDD+ Nesting Guidelines. This policy offers a clear framework for integrating local REDD+ activities into the national carbon accounting system.

Neil Wigan, the British High Commissioner to Kenya, noted that this event marks a shared commitment between the UK and Kenya to prioritize climate and nature within their partnership. He sees the registry as a powerful symbol of collaboration, further enhancing Kenya’s position in carbon markets.

Dr. Seif Hamisi from Conservation International highlighted that the REDD+ Registry places Kenya in a unique position among countries focused on transparency in managing their environmental programs. The registry could open doors for international investments, particularly from UK firms in finance and climate technology.

Hosting the registry for the first two years will be the UK through UK PACT. This collaboration will aid in building local infrastructure and capacity for managing the registry, benefiting various stakeholders like the Kenya Forest Service.

Kenya is now the first nation in Africa to establish a registry focused on reducing deforestation and the second in the world to launch a dedicated REDD+ emissions tracking system. This innovative step fosters transparency in carbon credit transactions and ensures fair compensation for local and Indigenous communities involved in conservation efforts.

This initiative is timely. According to a 2022 report from the World Bank, Africa’s forests are vital for carbon storage, with potential economic benefits from carbon markets reaching billions of dollars. As Kenya leads the way, it may inspire other African nations to follow suit in developing transparent and accountable environmental solutions.

By investing in such infrastructures, Kenya is not only addressing climate change but also ensuring that forest communities are recognized and rewarded for their role in preserving the planet.

For more on carbon credit systems and climate action, you can explore this report by the World Bank.

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