Kenya Launches Strategic Guide to Strengthen Carbon Markets Governance and Climate Financing

The Government of Kenya has officially launched the Kenya Guide for Strategic Engagement in Carbon Markets 2026, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the country's participation in international carbon markets while safeguarding national climate commitments, environmental integrity and community rights.
The Guide was officially launched by the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, alongside the Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, during a high-level ceremony held at a Nairobi hotel.
Speaking during the launch, CS Barasa emphasized that the Guide provides a strategic framework for ensuring Kenya's participation in carbon markets attracts responsible investment, supports sustainable development and delivers tangible benefits to communities. She noted that carbon markets offer significant opportunities to mobilize private capital for renewable energy, forestry, agriculture, waste management and clean cooking while creating green jobs and supporting technology transfer.
The Cabinet Secretary underscored the importance of environmental integrity, transparency and equitable benefit-sharing, stressing that carbon trading must not compromise community rights or ecosystems. She noted that the Guide provides greater clarity and predictability for investors, project developers and communities while reinforcing Kenya's commitment to high-integrity carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
“Kenya is open to responsible and high-integrity carbon investment. We are seeking quality, integrity and lasting development value,” she affirmed. CS Barasa called on development partners, investors and implementing institutions to strengthen collaboration and ensure carbon market investments contribute meaningfully to Kenya's transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy.
On his part, PS Ng’eno said the Guide represents a decisive shift from policy formulation to implementation, positioning Kenya as a strategic player in international carbon markets. He noted that Kenya's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets a 32 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below the Business-As-Usual trajectory by 2030, requiring an estimated USD 17.7 billion, of which USD 14 billion is expected from international support. He emphasized that carbon markets, when properly governed, can help mobilize the financing required to achieve these commitments.
The Principal Secretary explained that the Guide operationalizes the Climate Change Act and the Climate Change (Carbon Markets) Regulations, 2024, through three key measures: a national carbon budget for international trading, standardized assessment criteria for project approval and authorization, and a whitelist of priority carbon market activities. Under the framework, Kenya has established a cumulative ceiling of 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent for international transfer between 2025 and 2030, aimed at safeguarding national emission reduction targets and preventing the overselling of carbon credits.
Dr. Ng’eno further emphasized that carbon market projects must deliver value beyond carbon revenues through technology transfer, skills development, sustainable employment and improved livelihoods. He called on regulatory institutions, project developers and County Governments to uphold efficiency, accountability and compliance in implementing the Guide. “Kenya has defined the framework, set the standards, and established the path forward. Let us now execute this mandate together with integrity,” he stated.
The launch brought together senior government officials, diplomatic representatives, development partners and private sector stakeholders, including Amb. Ali Mohamed, Kenya's Special Envoy for Climate Change; Regina Ombam, Principal Secretary for Trade; H.E. Mirko Giulietti, Ambassador of Switzerland to Kenya; H.E. Kang Hyung-shik, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Kenya; H.E. Ondrej Simek, Deputy Ambassador, Delegation of the European Union to Kenya; H.E. Diana Dalton, Deputy High Commissioner and Development Director at the British High Commission; and Mr. Christian Gahre, Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission at the Royal Norwegian Embassy.
Also, in attendance were Dr. Mamo B. Mamo, Director General of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA); Ms. Nagnouma Kone, representing the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Kenya Country Office; representatives of government ministries, departments and agencies; development partners; carbon market project developers; and other stakeholders.
The development of the Guide benefited from technical contributions by the Climate Change Directorate, led by Dr. Pacifica Ogola, the National Carbon Budget Committee, NEMA and development partners, including GGGI. The Guide will undergo periodic reviews to incorporate implementation experiences, emerging market developments and evolving international regulations.
The launch reinforces Kenya's commitment to establishing a transparent, predictable and high-integrity carbon market that attracts sustainable investment, protects national climate commitments and delivers lasting environmental, social and economic benefits.