GCA Strengthens Climate Resilience in Kenya Through Nature-Based Solutions Training
N
airobi, Kenya, 12th February 2025 – The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) has successfully trained key institutional leaders in Kenya on Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for Urban Resilience, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to integrate NbS into urban planning and infrastructure projects.
The Training of Trainers (ToT) brought together 20 participants from the Council of Governors (CoG), the State Department for Housing and Urban Development (SDHUD), city/municipality representatives, and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), as well as other government agencies and the private sector. The training ensures that these experts can not only implement NbS in their own work but also train others within their institutions and communities, embedding long-term capacity for climate-resilient urban development across Kenya.
This initiative is part of GCA’s support to the Second Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP2)—a USD 350 million World Bank-financed project led by the State Department for Housing and Urban Development (SDHUD) in collaboration with the Council of Governors (CoG), and the Department for Refugee Services (DRS). Together, GCA and the World Bank are working to embed a stronger NbS framework into KUSP2, ensuring that Kenya’s urban growth is both sustainable and climate-resilient.
Building Climate-Resilient Cities Through NbS
With Kenya’s urban population projected to reach 50% by 2050, the country faces growing climate risks, including flooding, drought, and environmental degradation. However, many cities and municipalities still rely primarily on grey infrastructure without fully leveraging nature-based approaches that can provide cost-effective, sustainable solutions.
This Training of Trainers is designed to bridge this gap by equipping urban planners, engineers, and city managers with the skills to design, implement, and scale NbS strategies.
Participants engaged in hands-on training, covering:
- Understanding the concept and principles of NbS
- Developing and implementing actionable strategies for integrating NbS into urban resilience initiatives
- Exploring practical applications of NbS in climate-resilient urban development
- Learning how to effectively design, monitor, and evaluate NbS projects
- Strengthening the capacity of trainees to train and guide other stakeholders on NbS principles and implementation.
The event leveraged insights from the NbS Compendium which GCA is currently developing as part of its support to KUSP2. The Compendium compiles real-world NbS applications and solutions from Kenya, providing actionable recommendations for implementation.
“Nature-Based Solutions represent a sustainable and cost-effective way to build climate resilience in Kenya. The knowledge gained in this training will be instrumental in helping municipalities build resilience against climate risks,” said Naz Beykan, Senior Project Officer of GCA.
Lilian Kieni, Director of Urban Development at SDHUD remarked how “This collaboration between GCA, the World Bank, and the Government of Kenya is a vital step toward sustainable urban development. By equipping local governments with the tools to integrate NbS, we are ensuring long-term climate resilience in Kenya’s growing urban areas.”
Antony Owuor Okeyo, representing the Kenya School of Government, emphasized the importance of these type of trainings in fostering innovative approaches to building resilience. He noted that ”such initiatives will continue to emerge, making it essential to leverage them effectively and cooperatively.”
He highlighted the value of drawing on the diverse expertise of participants to develop the most effective methods for transferring NbS knowledge, stressing that a cooperative approach is crucial.
By strengthening institutional capacity, GCA is ensuring that cities and municipalities across Kenya can integrate NbS into urban planning and infrastructure development, reducing climate risks while promoting sustainable, green urban growth. This initiative directly supports Kenya’s climate resilience agenda, ensuring that local governments are equipped to plan, implement, and maintain NbS interventions that will benefit communities for generations to come.
