The National Assembly Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining chaired by Hon. David Gikaria (Nakuru East) has been briefed on the Climate Change (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

The Amendment Bill sponsored by the Leader of Majority Party Hon. Kimani Ichung'wah (Kikuyu)  seeks to provide for regulations of carbon markets.

The Bill seeks to amend the Climate Change Act, 2016; a national legislation intended to enhance response to climate change and provide mechanisms and measures to achieve low carbon climate-resilient development.

“This Act shall be applied for the development, management, implementation and regulation of mechanisms to enhance climate change resilience and low carbon development for sustainable development of Kenya,” part of the Bill reads.

It also creates and enhances the mandate of several institutions responsible for regulation of the carbon markets. 

In the proposed amendments, the National Climate Change Council (NCCC)  will provide guidance and policy direction on carbon markets to both the National Government and county governments, the public and other stakeholders.

In addition, the designated National Authority shall be the custodian of the National Carbon Registry which is responsible for registering on the carbon credit projects and programmes implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Kenya among others.

It is expected that this law will ensure that every carbon trading project undergoes an environmental and social impact assessment in accordance with the Environmental Management and Coordination Act, 1999.