1. Project Background

Kenya faces critical environmental challenges that require urgent policy action, including:

• Rapid deforestation (loss of 12% forest cover in 20 years)
• Plastic pollution (over 24 million plastic bags used monthly pre-ban)
• Weak enforcement of environmental laws
• Climate change impacts outpacing adaptation measures

The Advocacy for Policy Change Supporting Environmental Sustainability (APC-ES) project will strengthen ACEECA’s role as a policy influencer by bridging grassroots communities, research institutions, and decision-makers to drive systemic change.

2. Project Objectives

1. Strengthen Environmental Governance: Improve implementation of existing policies
2. Catalyze Progressive Legislation: Advocate for new laws addressing emerging challenges
3. Build Institutional Capacity: Enhance county governments’ environmental management
4. Amplify Citizen Participation: Create platforms for public engagement in policymaking
5. Promote Corporate Accountability: Advocate for stricter ESG compliance

3. Key Strategies

A. Policy Research & Analysis

• Annual “Kenya Environmental Policy Gap Report”
• County-level policy implementation scorecards
• Cost-benefit analyses of proposed regulations

B. Stakeholder Engagement

• Parliamentary Caucus on Environmental Sustainability
• Private Sector Sustainability Roundtable
• County Environmental Officers Network

C. Grassroots Mobilization

• Community Policy Labs (participatory law-making)
• Citizen Science for Policy (community-generated data)
• Public Interest Litigation support

D. Strategic Communications

• Policy Briefs in local languages
• Social Media Legislative Tracking (#GreenLawKE)
• Environmental Journalism Fellowships

4. Priority Policy Areas

1. Circular Economy Framework
   • Extended Producer Responsibility regulations
   • Green procurement policies
2. Climate Resilience
   • County Climate Change Funds
   • Nature-based solutions in NDCs
3. Biodiversity Protection
   • Community Land Rights legislation
   • Wildlife Corridor protection laws
4. Sustainable Energy
   • Mini-grid regulations
   • Renewable energy feed-in tariffs

5. Implementation Approach

Phase 1 (Year 1): Policy mapping & alliance building

Phase 2 (Years 2-3): Targeted advocacy campaigns

Phase 3 (Years 4-5): Institutionalization & monitoring

6. Expected Outcomes

• 5 national policies/environmental laws strengthened
• 15 county governments adopting model environmental bylaws
• 200+ CSOs trained in policy advocacy
• 30% increase in public awareness of environmental rights
• Establishment of Kenya’s first Environmental Law Clinic

7. Envisioned Partnerships

• Government: NEMA, Ministry of Environment, COG
• Academia: University of Nairobi Law School
• CSOs: Green Belt Movement, Kenya Climate Change Group
• International: UNEP, World Resources Institute