The Youth Café Attending The Shape The Net Zero Conversation Report.
On Monday 19th July 2021, representatives from The Youth Café attended the Shape The Net Zero Conversation, since one of our key focus areas at The Youth Café, as highlighted by our Theory of Change is Environmental Preservation and Climate change. Emily Le Cornu as the main facilitator, made the first introductory remark then proceeded to invite the first speaker, Prof. John Wesonga, an Entomology professor at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Dr. Nkatha Gichuyia followed and explained the complications of climate resilience on building innovations and getting projected data from the Kenya Meteorological Department on upcoming weather changes. Angela Angwenyi jumped in to talk about how The British High Commission has supported the Climate Change Project in Kenya by donating over 8 million pounds and urged people to support the project in any way thereby.
Meeting attendants were divided into three groups where each discussed the following three main themes of the event: First Session: Climate Science & Implications happened between 0900-1100hrs. The conversations commenced with the writing of impact statements of what we feel/hope/worry for Kenya by 2050 and the areas addressed were:
· Unlocking finance for a low-carbon and resilient future
· Creating low-carbon, resilient agricultural systems
· Local approaches to climate resilience
· Climate proofing the built environment
· Building climate-resilience health systems
The first session ended with a vote of thanks by Emily Le Cornu, and we looked forward to the next session at 1300hrs.
The second session, Visions of a Climate Resilient & Net-Zero Future took place between 1300hrs-1500hrs, where each group had conversations on the following themes:
Trend surfing – with a focus on areas such as smartphones and digital services, urbanization and mega cities, green information, rare resources, and the aging population. However, participants consensus was that the current population is young so the old will not be a problem or have a significant impact on the project.
Breaking assumptions – the assumptions discussed and broken into with ideas where nature is a resource, people work in a workplace, the best travel is fast travel, available resources on this planet are limited, waste is worthless, and GDP is a tool for measuring success.
Cluster and Themes for Climate Resilience and Net-Zero – under this theme, we discussed finance and markets, nature-based solutions, zero-carbon road transport, adaptation and resilience and the transition to clean energy.
The Third Session: Paths to 2050, Co-Benefits and Trade-Offs at 1600hrs – 1800hrs, groups looked into the trade-offs, wide co-benefits, and life in 2050 by focusing on areas such as personal life (at home and away), work-life (business/at work), and at the national level.
During this session, attendants had some time to fill in their ideas on the miro.com board. Members then rejoined the main event, and each group had an individual to present their discussions beginning with Group Two where they talked about a vision, ‘By 2050, we believe that Kenya will have a just and more resilient legal framework and improved climate change policy formulation and implementation based on evidence’.
One of the groups presented a grand vision, ‘By 2050, we believe that Kenya will have a greener, carbon-free, climate resilient environment, by conserving its resources and continuing to run on clean energy. Enhanced by a circular economy so that we can achieve an inclusive future for our local communities (all walks of life)’ It was noted that Kenya has a lot of unimplemented training documents and blueprints. They could set responses to energy and water management for a common operating picture i.e., Communication and Human Resource.
Another group presented a vision that aligned with the theme of COP25 Paris. ‘By 2050, the group believes that Kenya, will be mainstreaming sectors in a climate-smart progressive way i.e., Kenya as a renewable energy powerhouse, with mainstreamed nature-based solutions, food security, information about climate change, and green livelihoods are a viable part of the economy’ - the economy mainstreams nature in valuation and budgeting. Alignment between nature, pollution, and climate crises e.g., CBD, COP15 and COP26 noted how green livelihoods brings about employment.
They also had another vision ‘By 2050, we believe that Kenya will be transformed into a digital and green economy so that we can create a positive and green energy future.’ Other than the group, individuals raised various concerns, in that Prof. John Wesonga talked about having a focus on climate education for every Kenyan from individuals to organizations.
FoLT Lodwar spoke about the difference of contextual climate change, whereby he stressed that certain people in countries such as Turkana, don’t fully understand the various repercussions of climate change. What is generally considered economic growth where they cut trees, burn charcoal, and sell them to improve their livelihoods contributes greatly to the climate crisis. Hence, he concluded that information should be broken into various parts.
To conclude the session, Dr. Nkatha raised a point on the need of having a short-term vision of open climate data to various communities since different towns in Kenya experience contrary climatic conditions. The Youth Café was extremely honored to be invited to be a part of the conversation and we believe this was a first step in the right direction. We look forward to seeing these incredible visions and suggestions being translated into action as we collaborate to build a climate friendly and energy efficient Kenya. Let us join hands to shape a Net Zero future!
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