Kenya’s climate change policy actions and the response of higher education
Climate-U
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Abstract: Kenya’s climate pattern is increasingly less reliable, with multiple and overlapping social, health and economic effects. Drawing on national and international policy documents, peer-reviewed journal articles and national climate change reports published between 1999 and 2020, this working paper contributes to our understanding of the policy environment guiding university education in Kenya response to climate change issues. While the working paper discusses some policies in Kenya relating to sustainable development and climate change, many of them drawing on the international goals and agreements, it exposes a gap in guiding universities to respond to the impacts of climate change. There is little research and content on climate change in the Kenyan universities’ curricula, campus activities, institutional governance, and community engagement work. This is partly due to a weak link between national policies, institutional policies, and universities’ activities. Information on climate change responses by universities in Kenya is scanty. Through literature review, the working paper points out some material on sustainable development initiatives in universities and their impact on the society, environment, and economy. The working paper recommends an adjustment of Kenya government policies to better guide higher learning institutions in their role in addressing climate change issues at both campus and community levels.