Case Study on Climate Compatible Development (CCD) in Agriculture for Food Security in Kenya

The document assesses Kenya's National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS) and its Action Plan (NCCAP) through the lens of Climate Compatible Development (CCD). It highlights that while agriculture is central to Kenya's economy—contributing 26% to GDP—it is highly vulnerable to climate variability, with 80% of land being arid or semi-arid. The study finds a lack of clear synergies between adaptation and mitigation specifically regarding food security, noting that policy actors often struggle to distinguish between the two. It identifies institutional silos and a lack of specialized climate knowledge as primary barriers. Financially, the report notes that while Kenya has attracted significant international funding (e.g., $2.3 billion for various activities), these resources are fragmented, and the agricultural sector receives almost no domestic public climate finance. The document advocates for the establishment of a Climate Change Authority to act as a 'gatekeeper' for funds and the mainstreaming of CCD to build strategic partnerships for food security.

• Agriculture is a critical economic pillar for Kenya, directly contributing 26% to the GDP and 25% indirectly, while supporting the livelihoods and food needs of 80% of the population.
• Kenya is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its reliance on rain-fed agriculture and the fact that 80% of its land is classified as arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).
• The National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS) Action Plan consists of nine sub-components, including a Low Carbon Development Pathway, Finance, and a National Technology Action Plan, intended to integrate climate measures into national budgeting and planning.
• There is a significant gap in the understanding and implementation of synergies between climate change adaptation and mitigation specifically as they relate to food security.
• Climate finance in Kenya is characterized by fragmentation, with 15 different agencies providing support, leading to a lack of pooled resources.
• Domestic public climate finance is heavily skewed toward the energy sector, while the agricultural sector receives almost no funding from these sources.
• Institutional barriers to Climate Compatible Development include a 'silo working style' among ministries and a lack of specialized technical expertise in climate change.
• The Kenyan government sought to establish an independent Climate Change Authority (CCA) to serve as a 'gatekeeper' organization for managing and coordinating climate funds.
• Environmental degradation, specifically deforestation, has severely impacted Kenya's water towers, with forest cover dropping from 12% in the 1960s to less than 2% by the time of the report.

APA

Bernard, D. M., Adwera, O. A., Kungu, K. J., & Charles, T. (2012). Case Study on Climate Compatible Development (CCD) in Agriculture for Food Security in Kenya. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/CCD-for-Agriculture_Case-Study_Kenya-final.pdf

Chicago

Bernard, Dr. Muok, Ochieng Andrew Adwera, Kariuki Joan Kungu, and Tonui Charles. Case Study on Climate Compatible Development (CCD) in Agriculture for Food Security in Kenya. Climate and Development Knowledge Network, 2012. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/CCD-for-Agriculture_Case-Study_Kenya-final.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Bernard |first1=Dr. Muok |last2=Adwera |first2=Ochieng Andrew |last3=Kungu |first3=Kariuki Joan |last4=Charles |first4=Tonui |title=Case Study on Climate Compatible Development (CCD) in Agriculture for Food Security in Kenya |publisher=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |date=November 2012 |url=https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/CCD-for-Agriculture_Case-Study_Kenya-final.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bernard2012case, author = {Bernard, Dr. Muok and Adwera, Ochieng Andrew and Kungu, Kariuki Joan and Charles, Tonui}, title = {{Case Study on Climate Compatible Development (CCD) in Agriculture for Food Security in Kenya}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2012}, month = nov, url = {https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/CCD-for-Agriculture_Case-Study_Kenya-final.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }