Last week, top leaders in Africa came together for three days in Kenya’s capital to discuss climate financing that resulted in a proposed global carbon tax regime. The inaugural African Climate Summit wrapped up with the Nairobi Declaration, a joint document that calls for new global tax frameworks and accountability from major polluters to assist less-affluent countries (Reuters).

On June 26, a Kenyan environmental tribunal blocked construction of a coal-fired power plant in Lamu County, where a UNESCO world heritage site is located. Environmental groups challenged the government's issuance of a license to a power company to operate the plant, arguing the plant would cause environmental damage. The tribunal found that the National Environmental Management Authority failed to adequately involve county residents in public participation, as required by law. For the full story, see https://www.apnews.com/04c8f0a0cb6a41cba853a74e431e62a7.

The Kenyan National Assembly is currently debating amendments to the Public Benefits Organization Act (PBO) that critics say will stifle the activity of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the country. The Act is aimed at combating terrorism by limiting ways for terrorist organizations to receive funding from abroad. Among the proposed provisions is a 15% cap on funding to NGOs from foreign sources.

Danish wind company Vestas won a contract to provide 365 turbines for a 310 megawatt wind power project in Kenya. The Lake Turkana Wind Power project will be the largest of its kind in Africa, and is expected to generate 15-20% of Kenya’s electricity needs when completed. According to project developers, the site is a unique location that is favorable for wind. It is situated at high altitude (2,300 meters), and has consistent and predictable wind patterns.

The Kenyan parliament approved emergency measures to crack down on poachers last week, just as Kenya's Wildlife Service began pursuing a gang of poachers that slaughtered four rhinos. "Kenya's elephants declined from 160,000 in 1960s to 16,000 in 1989 due to poaching. Today Kenya is home to only 38,500 elephants and 1,025 rhinos," said Member of Parliament (MP) for North Horr Chachu Ganya.

A seizure of more than 200 elephant tusks in Tanzania underscores a rise in poaching, officials say. The tusks combined were worth $1.32 million, and according to police the poachers were planning on transporting the ivory to Kenya. "This is the biggest seizure of elephant tusks in Dar es Salaam in recent history. The tusks were really big, which means that they were carefully picked for certain customers," said the regional police commander.

Kenya opened the continent's first climate exchange platform last week, which is expected to increase foreign investor interest in the region by as much as $1 billion, according to Reuters. Tsuma Charo, chief executive officer at Africa Carbon Exchange, said that 17 projects are awaiting registration, and three have received approval. Earlier this month, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) registered its first project, a degraded forest replanted by a community looking to raise revenue for local peoples.

Kenya opened the continent's first climate exchange platform last week, which is expected to increase foreign investor interest in the region by as much as $1 billion, according to Reuters. Tsuma Charo, chief executive officer at Africa Carbon Exchange, said that 17 projects are awaiting registration, and three have received approval. Earlier this month, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) registered its first project, a degraded forest replanted by a community looking to raise revenue for local peoples.