The East African Community and theClimate Change Agenda: An Inventory of theProgress, Hurdles, and Prospects

This article details efforts to combat climate change within the framework of the nascent United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (“UNECA”). The discourse begins by providing a clear picture of the EAC’s establishment, membership, purpose, and mandate, and the relevance of the latter two to EAC’s climate change agenda. This is followed by a general overview of the evidence and impacts of climate change in the sub-region. In the substantive sections, the article takes stock of the achievements registered by the EAC in its efforts to address climate change in the sub-region, as well as the challenges impeding these efforts. Weighing these achievements and challenges, it then attempts to paint the picture of the prospects for addressing climate change issues in the sub-region within the EAC’s prevailing framework. Finally, the author submits recommendations for addressing climate change issues in the sub-region

An Inventory of the Progress, Hurdles, and Prospects

Climate change cannot be addressed by a single nation. We must lay emphasis on a regional approach since whatever happens in our individual nations affects the entire region. This means that we must act both individually and collectively, especially in instituting effective and sufficient measures towards mitigation against the adverse effects of climate change