The sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) that took place from 26 February to 1 March, 2024 in Nairobi was a pivotal event, showcasing the power of multilateralism in tackling the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. Despite global social and political divisions, countries came together to adopt 15 resolutions addressing the three issues through coordinated efforts between universal governments.[1] This underscored UNEA-6’s focus on multilateralism’s crucial role in driving collective action for a sustainable future. According to the United Nations (UN), multilateralism traditionally involves coordinated collective action among at least three actors, reflecting a shared understanding that working together is essential for addressing challenges that exceed the capacity of individual efforts.[2] Experts view multilateralism as one of the most effective ways to promote international cooperation to address global challenges, in this context climate change.[3] This commentary aims to explore how Eastern Africa can leverage multilateralism to implement climate change adaptation efforts in the region.
Climate change has disrupted weather patterns in Eastern Africa, leading to droughts, floods, and food insecurity, while biodiversity loss has weakened ecosystems and reduced natural resources and resilience. In the preceding decade, the Horn of Africa has been confronted with three notable drought events (2010-2011, 2016-2017, and 2020-2022). These prolonged dry spells have led to the dematerialization of arable lands, resulting in agricultural failure, livestock loss, and human displacement in search of sustenance. This unprecedented series of crises has significantly disrupted livelihoods and exacerbated insecurity throughout the region.[4] Pollution on the other hand has contaminated water, threatening wildlife survival and human health. These challenges have significant economic implications, including disruptions in agricultural produce, declining tourism, and increased healthcare expenses, posing a threat to regional prosperity. Moreover, displacement resulting from droughts and resource scarcity has the potential to exacerbate social unrest and political tensions in the region. Therefore, multilateralism is crucial for addressing these issues, as it fosters collaborative efforts and collective solutions, which are essential for effectively combating climate change and its associated threats.
The emphasis on multilateral efforts at UNEA-6 aligns with Eastern Africa’s focus on fostering cooperation between member countries to address the multidimensional effects of climate change, as evidenced by regional policies. The IGAD Regional Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (2023-2030) emphasize multilateralism as a critical tool. This approach strengthens regional cooperation to secure and sustain the resources needed to address climate change challenges.[5] In a similar vein, the East African Community (EAC) has established the East African Community Climate Change Policy Framework.
This framework highlights the necessity of creating multilateral networks for climate change and provides a platform for member states to collaborate on mitigation and adaptation efforts, thereby reinforcing the concept of multilateral action. International and regional frameworks exist to coordinate efforts against the climate threat; however, the journey towards effective multilateralism in Eastern Africa faces some obstacles, to include limited institutional capacity and coordination mechanisms, resource and economic constraints, and diverging political interests. Given the non-binding nature of these policies, it is imperative that they are complemented by practical actions that can be harmoniously integrated across the region.
While multilateralism towards tackling climate change and its consequences can be slow, it might be the only way to secure the resources and achieve a regional transition. By encouraging member states to coordinate and share their common goals, foster open discussions, and highlight joint solutions with broad support, the region can achieve consensus on tackling environmental challenges. Furthermore, strengthening existing policies and enhancing strategies that already work, such as information sharing, community engagements and dialogue, and joint climate financing funds, Eastern Africa can leverage and strengthen these approaches to facilitate multilateralism when it comes to tackling climate change.
Various countries within the region have demonstrated significant progress in generating green energy through innovative technology, showcasing a proactive approach to combating environmental degradation. Kenya is a leader in geothermal energy development in Africa and the world’s seventh top producer of geothermal energy.[6] It also offers feed-in tariffs, which are financial incentives that encourage renewable energy production. This has led to a rapid increase in solar and wind power projects. Ethiopia is engaged in significant hydroelectric initiatives, exemplified by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which is expected to become Africa’s largest hydropower facility, generating 5,150 MW of electricity. A portion of this output is anticipated to be exported to neighbouring countries.[7]
Strengthening multilateral cooperation can facilitate the transfer of sustainable technologies within Eastern African nations. This transfer of sustainable technologies within the region is often deemed inadequate due to limited financial resources and technical capacity among recipient countries, insufficient coordination mechanisms, and a lack of coherent policies to facilitate technology uptake. Despite these challenges, recent developments highlight a positive trend, as South Sudan looks to Tanzania and Kenya for guidance on transitioning from charcoal to biogas. Additionally, Kenya has shared its expertise in geothermal energy with Uganda, enhancing regional capacity for the broader transition to green energy. Fostering similar multilateral cooperation initiatives for the transfer of sustainable technologies within Eastern African nations can ensure that despite some countries being ahead in the energy transition, others can catch up through the timely exchange of knowledge and resources.
Through multilateralism, countries within the region can help mobilize financial resources for climate change mitigation and adaptation projects in Eastern Africa. Multilateralism can facilitate the pooling of financial resources through mechanisms such as joint climate funds or trust funds, where countries contribute financially to a common fund that is then used to support climate change projects in Eastern Africa. A successful model that Eastern Africa can draw lessons from is the Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF), a multi-donor trust fund managed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and supported by countries such as Canada and Germany. This approach highlights the essence of joint solutions and be particularly beneficial for countries such as Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, which concurrently face cyclical droughts. Strategic investment in projects tailored to the specific intersecting needs of nations in the region can effectively address the consequences of climate change including the permanent loss of livelihoods, displacement and other risks.
At the national level in Eastern African countries, community engagements play a crucial role in advancing multilateralism in tackling climate change by raising awareness, building local support, promoting behavior change, and strengthening resilience at the grassroots level. In countries like Kenya and Tanzania, this is being achieved through the efforts of community-based organizations. These organizations are working to sensitize local communities about sustainable farming practices and natural resource management. Public engagement encourages open discussions that not only sensitizes individuals but also mobilizes collective action, enhancing the effectiveness of climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. Moreover, by involving local communities in decision-making processes, multilateral approaches can ensure that policies and initiatives are contextually relevant and sustainable. Incorporating the voices and perspectives of local communities, national governments can ensure that policies are more inclusive, effective, and tailored to the specific needs of different regions within Eastern Africa. This approach also prevents misrepresentation of nations when it comes to making decisions at multilateral levels.
Existing climate change policies can serve as significant drivers for multilateralism, emphasizing the imperative of collaborative action in addressing the climate crisis, both regionally and globally. However, a significant gap exists in translating these policies into action due to slow political integration, which remains the main barrier to achieving multilateralism in the region. This could be attributed to existing disparities in readiness for the transition to green energy and political tensions across Eastern Africa that impede effective multilateral action on climate change. Prioritization of national interests and other political factors also create varying financial needs and divert attention from collaborative efforts. National interests frequently take precedence over regional cooperation, leading to disagreements and conflicts among countries. To maintain the status quo, demonstrating the success of prioritizing collaborative initiatives over individual interests is crucial. A successful model that has worked includes Transboundary Conservation Areas, such as the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area in southern Africa, exemplifying collaboration among nations in managing shared natural resources and biodiversity.
In conclusion, Eastern Africa can effectively leverage the multilateral spirit evident at UNEA 6 to address climate challenges in the region. By enhancing the transfer of sustainable technology, pooling financial resources, and encouraging community engagement, the region can build upon existing climate policies and gain an advantage in collectively tackling climate change. Through this, countries in the region can utilize the East African Community Climate Change Policy Framework as a springboard for joint initiatives. Sharing best practices and technical expertise in areas like renewable energy development can be expanded and piloted to enhance regional implementation. However, translating policies into action requires addressing current roadblocks. Slow political integration remains a hurdle, potentially due to disparities in green energy transition readiness or political tensions. At the national level, public engagement serves to cultivate trust and ensure that policies are aligned with the needs of citizens. Regionally, transparent information sharing plays a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and trust, harmonizing priorities, and aligning efforts to address common challenges.
[1] United Nations Environment Assembly (2024). Outcomes of UNEA-6
[2] United Nations (2021). Defining Multilateralism
[3] International Accreditation Forum (2024). The Crisis of Multilateralism and the Role of International Organizations in Light of Multiregionalism
[4] OCHA (2022). Horn of Africa Drought: Regional Humanitarian Overview & Call to Action
[5] ICPAC (2022). IGAD Regional Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (2023-2030)
[6] International Monetary Fund (2022). Kenya Taps The Earth’s Heat
[7] Reuters (2022). Ethiopia turns on the turbines at giant Nile hydropower plant