Ecology
East African wildlife and the expanding city: Nairobi National Park (Photo: Axel Harneit-Sievers)
Introduction
Eastern Africa and the Horn of Africa form a region with extraordinarily diverse geographical and environmental features, extending from highlands that receive much rainfall and are used for intensive agriculture, to semi-arid and arid areas primarily used by pastoralists. Parts of the region are renowned for their biodiversity – and their wildlife, of course. At the same time, a rapidly-growing population and an expanding agro-industry puts systemic pressures on the region's environment.

Climate variability is already high, as shown by recurring droughts and resulting food crises, but also by floods and erosion at different times and places. Global climate change is going to exacerbate weather extremes, increasing the risks for the people in the region. The region's energy supply depends on wood fuel, hydropower and imported fossil fuels, while the scope of sustainable renewable energies (including geothermal power production) is slowly expanding.

In contrast to other parts of Africa, extractive industries (mining, oil and gas) have historically played a relatively small role in Eastern Africa and the Horn. But the picture is changing: Gold mining in Tanzania has rapidly been expanding over the last few years, making gold the single most important export commodity of the country; exploration for oil and gas going on or being prepared in virtually every country of the region. All this raises concern: Extractive industries do not only frequently cause environmental damage and conflicts with local communities; in many African countries, their fast expansion has also meant economic distortion, corruption and political upheaval and violent conflict: the "resource curse", as exemplified by oil production in the Sudan.

The Heinrich Böll Foundation's regional office in Nairobi focuses on the generation of knowledge as well as awareness and advocacy work in the areas of renewable energy, climate change, sustainable food production, and extractive industries. AFREPREN (Nairobi) is conducting studies and advocacy work on renewable energy production in Eastern Africa and the Horn of Africa; all this has helped to bring about, in 2007, the new feed-in legislation that encourages investment into small-scale and sustainable generation of electricity by Independent Power Producers. We are supporting forest protection activities undertaken by the Green Belt Movement and work towards strengthening the capacity of organisations and institutions addressing climate change, especially with regard to adaptation finance.

Food Security
Study
High Food Prices – Who gets the Money?
February 23, 2009 - A maize shortage has led to an unprecedented price hike in Kenya; government has declared the food insecurity a national disaster. Many Kenyans attribute food price inflation to mismanagement and corruption. But to what extent does it result from actual scarcity? Do food crop producers - many of them small farmers - profit from high food prices?
Heike Höffler and Booker Owuor Ochieng more»
Energy and Climate Change in Africa
STUDY
Africa in the Global Climate Negotiations
November 18, 2009 - African countries view the existing financial mechanisms for climate mitigation and adaptation as inadequate, complex and fragmented. They demand a climate change adaptation fund worth $67 billion per year by 2020, and want developed countries to contribute 0.5% of GDP for climate action in developing countries. In the negotiation process in Bali, Africa identified itself with the demands of other developing countries which wanted developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2020, and at least 80% to 95% below 1990 levels by 2050. Hubert Meena more»
UPDATE
Energy Crisis in Kenya: The Way Forward – September 1, 2009 - The energy crisis is here: Drought-related low water levels in Kenya’s major hydroelectric facilities have led to power rationing, cutting off Kenyans from electricity supply for three days per week. What can be done – and what is already being done to address the situation? more»
REPORT
Towards a Joint African Position on the Road to Copenhagen – August 20, 2009 - In May 2009, African environmental ministers and other stakeholders from the continent met in Nairobi in order to work towards a shared vision and joint African position in the global negotiations on climate change, preparing for the UNFCCC conference in Copenhagen in December 2009. Benson Owuor Ochieng more»
STUDY
Energy Security and Adaptation to Climate Change in East Africa and the Horn of Africa: Large Scale Hydropower vs. Decentralized Renewables – August 18, 2009 - Drought-induced reduction in hydropower generation has become a persistent feature in the region’s electricity generation. Expanding decentralized renewable energies for electricity generation provides an important and cost-effective measure of adapation to climate change. Stephen Karekezi, John Kimani, Oscar Onguru and Waeni Kithyoma more»
Background
Climate Change in Africa – February 23, 2009 - Africa has contributed very little to the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global climate change. At the same time, Africa is going to be severely affected by the impacts of climate change, while having rather limited capacities to adapt to it. What is the state of evidence, and what can African politics do about it? more»
DOCUMENTARY
HOTSPOTS: The Consequences of Climate Change in Africa – March 2, 2009 - No continent will be hit harder by climate change than Africa. The documentary movie "Hotspots" explains why.  Marc Engelhardt more»
APPEAL
Africa speaks up on Climate Change – February 23, 2009 - "Africa speaks up on Climate Change" is an appeal to political actors worldwide to care about the threat climate change poses to Africa. Already, droughts, floods, desertification and other effects of climate change are threatening both nature and livelihoods. The appeal addresses the African public as well: Only the people can apply the necessary pressure to make the necessary changes. more»
Greenhouse Development Rights
The Greenhouse Development Rights Framework
February 23, 2009 - The entire world is affected by climate change. Developed countries, as the strongest emitters of greenhouse gases, need to take primary responsibility for the costs of mitigation and adaptation. The Greenhouse Development Rights Framework provides an innovative approach towards a fair burden-sharing. more»
Conference: "The Great Transformation - Greening The Economy"
NEWS & EVENTS
NB: New office telephone lines: ++254 20 2680745; ++254 20 2613997; ++254 20 2613992; and ++254 752 372670.

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THE GENDER FORUM
Public debates on gender and politics
Thursday, 30 September 2010, 16:00
Venue: Nairobi Safari Club (Lilian Towers), University Way, CBD, Nairobi
Watch out for more details!

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Implementing the new Constitution: Expectations and Impediments for Gender Equality
with Njoki Ndungu (former nominated MP) and Kamotho Waiganjo
Gender Forum, 26th August 2010

Lest We Forget: Reflecting on the original impetus for a new constitutional order
with Prof. Yash Pal Ghai and others
Gender Forum, 29th July 2010

The Kadhi’s Courts Controversy: Debating the (Mis)conceptions
with Abdalla Murshid, Maimuna Mwidau and Bishop Abarijah Kinoga
Gender Forum, 24th June 2010

Myths and Facts about the Proposed Constitution
with Harun Ndubi and Peter Kariuki
Gender Forum, 27th May 2010

The Maize Subsector in Kenya: Mending the Granary
Expert Roundtable with Booker Owuor and others
Ecology Forum, 13th May 2010

Saving the Mother; Saving the Child; Saving the Constitution:
Evaluating Article 26 of the Draft Constitution on the Right to Life
with Prof. Joseph Karanja; Judy Thongori; Rev. David Oginde; Anne Mbugua; and Alice Wahome.
Gender Forum, 29th April 2010

Usipoziba Ufa Utajenga Ukuta:
Land, Elections and Conflict in Kenya's Coast Province
Book Launch, with Mwandawiro Mghanga
Mombasa, 22nd April 2010

Beijing +15: Deliberations on the 54th CSW
with a special emphasis on women's political participation
Gender Forum, 25th March 2010

What has Changed? An Update on the Constitutional Review Process
with Grace Maingi – Kimani, Catherine Mumma, and Kamotho Waiganjo
Gender Forum, 25th February 2010

Reviewing the Copenhagen Climate Conference: Which Way Forward?
Ecology Forum, 21st January 2010

More information on Past News and Events
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