Politicians and Climate Change

The COP is much more a political process than a technical process. The high level segment which mainly consists of ministers and various highly ranked government personnel is where all major decisions are made.

Meet Hon. Wilbur Ottichilo the founder of Parliamentary Network on Renewable Energy and Climate Change (PANARECC). The Parliamentarian has been addressing environmental concerns for over twenty years and continues to be at the forefront in addressing climate change issues both at the national (Kenya) and international level. He believes that politicians have an important role to play. Not only are they are entrusted with enacting progressive legislation at national levels, they are extensively involved in the international climate change negotiations. It is for this reason he advocates for their capacity building in a bid to ensure that our environment is protected for posterity.

Enjoy a short interview session I had with the Member of Parliament.He gives insights on the general spirit of the international negotiations here at Warsaw, the importance of establishment of a Loss and Damage mechanism, Climate Finance and most importantly the way forward for Kenya.

About The Author

Edna Odhiambo is working to become a leader in environmental law. Her conviction to pursue sustainable development led to a focus on climate activism and innovations on clean energy investments. She works on disaster response law with the Kenya Red Cross, and previously worked on Climate Change Coordination in the office of Kenya’s Prime Minister. Edna’s aspiration is to lead the world toward low carbon economies for a sustainable future.