The Kenya Government, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme and UN-Habitat, has launched a $5.2 million initiative to promote low-carbon, climate-resilient and nature-positive urban development in Nairobi.
The five-year project, funded through a grant from the Global Environment Facility, is expected to leverage up to $40 million in additional government investment, alongside $2 million in in-kind support and technical assistance from partners.
The initiative, titled Supporting the Shift Towards Integrated, Low-Carbon and Nature-Positive Neighborhoods in Nairobi, will pilot green neighbourhood approaches in Kamukunji, targeting improved living conditions for more than 85,000 residents while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and restoring ecosystems along the Nairobi River corridor.
The project will be implemented by UNEP and executed by UN-Habitat, with leadership from the Nairobi City County Government and other national agencies, including the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, the Nairobi Rivers Commission, and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry.
Speaking at the launch during the Global Forum for the GEF Integrated Programs, Executive Director of UNEP, Inger Andersen, said cities are central to addressing climate change, noting that urban areas account for nearly 70 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
She said the initiative demonstrates how integrated, neighbourhood-level interventions can deliver cleaner air, restored ecosystems and improved living conditions while accelerating the transition to a low-carbon future.
The project is designed to address challenges associated with rapid urbanisation, including pressure on infrastructure, environmental degradation and increased vulnerability to climate risks such as flooding and heatwaves.
Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Anacláudia Rossbach, said cities will play a critical role in achieving global climate and sustainability targets, adding that the initiative provides a model for inclusive and resilient urban development.
The programme will focus on strengthening policy frameworks, enhancing technical capacity and deploying digital planning tools to support climate-responsive urban design.
Planned interventions in Kamukunji include climate-resilient infrastructure, green public spaces, ecosystem restoration, renewable energy solutions, sustainable mobility and improved waste management systems.
Officials said the project will also prioritise mobilising finance by identifying investment opportunities, engaging public and private sector partners and developing incentive frameworks to scale integrated green neighbourhoods across Nairobi and other cities.
Cabinet Secretary for Kenya’s Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, Alice Wahome, said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to building inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities, particularly for vulnerable urban populations.
The project forms part of the GEF Sustainable Cities Integrated Program, a global initiative supporting cities to address climate change, biodiversity loss and urban vulnerability through coordinated planning and investment.
