Climate change adaptation and EIA studies in Kenya

Abstract

Purpose – The paper is an excerpt from a bigger study with an overall aim of examining the extent to which climate change adaptation has been integrated in the EIA studies undertaken in Kenya since the process inception in 2000. The purpose was to establish whether adequate attention is given to the issue of climate change mitigation as major challenge in the world during the 21st century.

Design/methodology/approach – The research design is based on qualitative research involving a review of EIA reports approved by the national environmental authority and also based on key informant consultations with licensed EIA experts in the country. Thereafter, the findings were analyzed through standard statistical procedures.

Findings – The findings showed that climate change integration in all the reviewed EIA reports was mainly restricted to mere consideration of historical climate change information in the project areas and totally weak in terms of climate change prediction scenarios and their likely impacts on the proposed development projects. However, consultations with most EIA practitioners indicated that integration of climate change adaptive capabilities into the EIA process was a relevant issue but admitted that the implementation modalities were unclear.

Originality/value – The study is the first in evaluating the level of integration for climate change in EIA studies in Kenya and the findings will inform EIA implementation in the country. It also forms a good basis for comparative studies with EIA studies in other countries of the world.