The impact of climate policies on Kenya’s development: Analysing the trade-offs

Uday-Makokha-KeyaAuthor: Uday Makokha Keya
Third-year law student, Kabarak University

“African countries are bearing the brunt of the climate crisis and for this reason, we believe it is time we have a conversation on carbon tax.[1]

This echo’s president William Ruto’s speech on climate change sometime last year. Following this speech Kenya introduced tax on machines and motor vehicles based on the engine capacity of the vehicle,[2] and additional charges commodities that have a negative impact on the environment.[3]

The imposition of the eco levy has the potential to result in a low rate of development in the country as it will decrease the rate of industrialisation, since many industries use heavy machinery. This is also evident by the increased tread towards automation and robotics even by service industries.[4] Consequently, enacting these laws, could limit the use of machines that have a negative impact on the environment and may lead to underdevelopment as most investors may be discouraged from investing in industries in the country.

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Climate change and internal displacement

Zanele-Christine-Fengu-Meron-Eshetu-Birhanu-Bernice-AsanteAuthors: Zanele Christine Fengu, Meron Eshetu Birhanu and Bernice Asante

“Internal Displacement and climate change are both highly complex phenomena. In the public debate we often hear about ‘climate-related displacement’ or even ‘climate refugees’, and very often this is done with a note of alert”.

The Global Classroom on Human Rights recently held its annual meeting, which was hosted by the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria with Internal Displacement as its theme. The programme featured enlightening presentations from members across the world who reflected on legal and non-legal approaches to the matter. A key message which came from the engagement was the need to adopt a climate justice approach to climate change and how our legal frameworks could embody this principle.

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