Nairobi is updating its greenhouse gas inventory to trace sources of emissions blamed for respiratory ailments.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said some 2,500 Nairobi residents die annually from the illnesses.
He said air pollution in the city is piling pressure on the county’s health budget and action will save up to $192 million (Sh24.8 billion) in the next 15 years.
“We estimate that pollution takes at least 2,500 lives a year. It is also a main cause of respiratory infections and all sorts of other problems that deny our people the flourishing lives they deserve,” he said.
Sakaja spoke at a global urban centres conference on climate change in Nairobi.
He said his administration is planning to ensure tracing of emission sources is modernised to make its climate action plan effective.
The updating, being done by City Hall, will provide the basis for auditing the effectiveness of strategies it has been implementing to combat climate change and review where necessary.
“Nairobi is updating its greenhouse gas inventory through its fully fledged climate change unit. Once complete we will have a far better understanding of the city’s emission sources and progress being made towards meeting our reduction targets, all while supplying the evidence we need for renewing our climate action plan,” he said.
According to Clean Air Fund’s the State of the Global Air 2020 report, more than 5,000 premature deaths are linked to air pollution-related illnesses.
Being a heavily congested space relying mainly on motor transportation, Sakaja warned that pollution will only get worse.
He told mayors and city administrators from around the globe that air pollution is not the only climate change-related culprit affecting Nairobians, floodings and pressure on existing infrastructure and essential services are also pushing the city to a climate breakdown.
“I am, however, implementing policies to fight back by effecting climate solutions that will define the future of this city for generations to come,” the governor said.
Sakaja said his administration has started to incorporate climate action into policies, plans and programmes.
“I think of it as rewiring our policy and planning so that they are alive to climate concerns at every stage.”
But to beat the crisis, the county is implementing the recently passed Nairobi City County Climate Change Management Act of 2024, which gives the legislative footing for action.
