1. Centre for Devolution and Environmental Leadership (CDEL)
Youth & Green Economy: The Emerging Champions
Presentation by Jacob Olonde
@KFWG, June 2016

2. Outline Definitions Why Green? Legal and Policy Scenario
Ongoing Initiatives
Obstacles
Way forward

3. Definitions Often used as a catchall term referring to: Youth
The national youth policy (2006) of Kenya defines youth as between years. The youth in Kenya, who number about 9.1 million, account for about 32% of the population. Of these, 51.7 % are female
What is ‘‘green’’?
Often used as a catchall term referring to:
...resource efficiency and the need to protect the natural systems upon which humans and other species depend (Carley et al., 2011).

4. Why Green?
The world demands innovative thinking, new approaches, and the capacity to implement them
Address rising energy tariffs, diminishing natural resources and skyrocketing costs of basic commodities
Promote green consumerism, growth and green mind sets
Strengthen legal and policy infrastructure
Develop responsive and sustainable institutional frameworks

5. Legal & Policy Scenario
17 Sustainable Development Goals
Paris Agreement/ COP21 Outcome
The Constitution
Vision 2030
Climate Change Act
National Youth Policy
GoK 30% procurement rule
Green Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan

6. Ongoing Green Initiatives
Sustainable Environment and Restoration Programme (SERP) by GoK, Kenya Red Cross Society
The Greening Kenya Initiative (GKI)/Trust
Green Energy Initiative: Kenya
Green Fiscal Policy Network by GIZ and UNEP
Green Growth Initiative by African Development Bank
Kenya Green Universities Network by UNEP
School Greening programme by MENRRA
Mazingira Challenge and Miss environment by KFWG
Green Innovation Award by NETFUND
Green Entrepreneurship Programme by ILO/UNIDO
Nakumatt Holdings Ltd- Think Green, Go Blue

7. Obstacles
Pressure from the high population growth. The fact that economic growth is much lower than the population growth rate makes the situation worse
Lack of appropriate skills. Many are neither properly equipped for entry into the labour market nor possess the necessary life skills
Unclear and uncoordinated policies and programmes. Lack of a national definition of youth and effective co-ordination mechanisms hamper their effectiveness.
Resource Constraints. Most of the youth programmes, run by youths themselves, the Government and partners lack adequate funds.
Limited participation and lack of opportunities . Due to societal attitudes, socio-cultural and economic barriers, and lack of proper organization.
Limited access to information. The youth cannot exploit career, business and education opportunities available because they lack access to necessary information.

8. Way Forward
Understand the definitions: Green Economy, Green Growth, Low Carbon Development
Understand public participation as envisaged under Article 69 (d) in the Constitution of Kenya.
Get the Issues: Climate change; ecosystem management, resources efficiency; chemicals and waste Management
Build on strong networks and establish a formal high- level forum for much-needed strategic policy debate
Take responsibility. Green your lifestyle ( I have published a book on this topic. Grab your copy)

9. THANK YOU
Thank You