The State Department for Environment and Climate Change, in partnership with UNICEF and other stakeholders, has developed the Children’s Climate and Disaster Risk Model (CCDRM).
The CCDRM is an online platform designed to track the climate and disaster risk levels faced by children in Kenya.
It illustrates how children and their communities are at risk due to climatic and related shocks and stressors.
The tool provides multisectoral evidence to inform strategic and sustainable climate programming, showing where and how children are at risk based on various indicators.
It also offers localized evidence for strategic local climate action with a special focus on children and their development support system.
The model aligns with Kenya’s bottom-up growth and development strategy, Vision 2030 aspirations, the updated nationally determined contribution (NDC), the National Adaptation Plan, and the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP 2023-2027).
Speaking at the launch of the CCDRM held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill, Principal Secretary, State Department for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Eng. Festus Ng’eno, emphasized the model’s findings, stating that children are seven times more vulnerable than adults to climate and environmental hazards, both physically and physiologically.
“In recent months, we have witnessed the severe consequences of climate change, ranging from the worst drought in 40 years to ravaging floods,” PS Ng’eno said.
He added, “The CCDRM is a powerful example of how national stakeholders can work together to create a decision-making tool on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction with a strong focus on children and their communities.”
PS Ng’eno also noted that the tool will support the implementation of the National Climate Change Action Plan III, helping stakeholders target interventions to ensure that all children in Kenya have an equal and fair opportunity to reach their full potential.
The CCDRM highlights that while most children in Kenya are at risk from climate change and environmental hazards, those in Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, Tana River, and Garissa are at very high risk.
An estimated 2.4 million children live in these counties, facing very high-risk levels of climate and disasters.
UNICEF Kenya Representative, Shaheen Nilofer, observed that children are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change as it threatens their welfare and growth.
“The climate crisis is a child rights crisis, and the CCDRM reveals the varying risk levels in each county, highlighting the urgent need for targeted action. This model is a vital tool for stakeholders to prioritize investment in climate action and disaster risk reduction efforts, building long-term resilience and sustainability for children and communities.”
The launch of the CCDRM aligns with Kenya’s commitment to protecting children and youth from climate change impacts, as emphasized in the new National Climate Change Action Plan 2023-2027.
NCCAP’s focus on children and young people underscores the importance of empowering them to actively contribute to both national and local climate action schemes.
