Kenyan initiative redefines climate finance at COP29

 People attend the COP29 UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan on November 13, 2024. COP29, a global climate conference by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change bringing together the 197 nations part of its agreement, is attended by around 72,000 people. [AFP. ]

The Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLOCA) has dispersed Kshs12.68 billion to 45 counties and 1,418 wards, making it a trailblazer in financing locally-led climate action.

This initiative is now in the global spotlight at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, is widely seen as the "Climate Finance COP," indicating the innovative funding mechanisms for global adaptation and resilience.

At the conference, FLLOCA has stood out as a practical, results-driven model that empowers communities to combat climate challenges from the ground up.

It was showcased as a success story of locally-led action that aligns with COP29's urgent calls for equitable, scalable, and impactful climate financing.

Peter Odhengo, Head of the Climate Finance and Green Economy Unit at Kenya’s National Treasury, explained FLLOCA's significance.

“This is not just about Kenya. It’s about proving that locally-led climate action can work, and it can work well. FLLOCA rewards results. The more you deliver, the more resources you access,” he said during a session on gender-responsive financing models for fragile and conflict-affected settings.

The programme is Kenya's flagship initiative to enhance local resilience against climate change impacts.

FLLOCA capitalises National and County Climate Change Funds, providing resources directly to communities and counties.

These funds are tied to meeting specific preparatory conditions, such as risk and vulnerability assessments and inclusive planning. Counties earn additional funding by delivering measurable results, ensuring accountability and impact.

The program is implemented by the Kenyan government with support from international development partners, including the World Bank.

 It focuses on promoting transparency, innovation, and partnerships between different levels of government and local communities to address climate vulnerabilities effectively.

Over 1,178 projects are active across Kenya, addressing diverse challenges like drought, flooding, and land degradation.

At COP29, these achievements proved that local solutions often hold the key to progressive global resilience. Every ward involved in FLLOCA shows the potential of communities to drive meaningful change when equipped with resources and capacity.

COP29 attendees are taking note of FLLOCA’s unique approach. Unlike traditional top-down models, FLLOCA puts power and decision-making directly in the hands of local actors.

Communities collaborate with county and national governments to plan, implement, and monitor resilience investments. This ensures funding addresses actual needs while building long-term adaptive capacity.

Salome Owuonda, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Sustainable and Inclusive Development, explained FLLOCA’s data-driven framework.

“Risk and vulnerability analysis is at the center of the program. Without it, you risk using ineffective indicators for monitoring and reporting,” she noted during the session.