Parliamentarians convene to tackle methane emissions

Inter-Parliamentary Union Africa Regional Methane Seminar has commenced in Nairobi, bringing together more than 100 Members of Parliament from 21 African countries to discuss strategies to reduce methane emissions.

Speaking during the event themed ‘African Parliaments for Climate Action: Reducing Methane, Promoting Development,’ J. M. Nyegenye, Clerk of the Senate and Secretary of the Parliamentary Service Commission, described the meeting as timely and critical as leaders reflect collectively on how African parliaments can continue playing their rightful role in stewarding the shared environment and safeguarding the well-being of present and future generations.

“This seminar underscores the unique responsibility of parliaments to provide leadership, give voice to the concerns of our citizens, and help chart a course towards a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous future for Africa,” he said.

Nyegenye added that the seminar also presents an important opportunity to deepen the bonds of parliamentary fraternity among African legislatures.

He encouraged parliamentarians to make full use of the platform to strengthen networks, build lasting friendships and explore avenues for future collaboration among committees, caucuses and parliamentary administrations across the continent.

Amason Kingi, Speaker of the Senate, reiterated that climate change is no longer a distant environmental issue.

“It is now a governance, economic, health and development concern that demands legislative attention, political goodwill and collective continental action,” said Kingi.

Kingi reminded parliamentarians that they are uniquely placed to shape climate policy, enact supportive legislation, allocate resources, and ensure accountability in implementation.

Despite these challenges, Kingi said there are significant opportunities, as researchers and innovators continue to demonstrate the potential of methane capture technologies.

“Through proper waste and manure management, methane can be converted into biogas and used as a clean and affordable energy source for households and institutions,” he explained.

Dr. George Wamukoya, speaking from an African perspective, emphasized that because Africa contributes minimally to global emissions, its priority remains adaptation.

He noted that crop yields are projected to decline by up to 30% by 2050 under high-emission scenarios. He also highlighted that 230 million Africans currently face water scarcity, with the number expected to worsen significantly by 2030.

He further warned that up to 700 million people could face displacement due to water stress. In addition, heat-related illnesses are rising, with the World Health Organization (WHO) projecting an additional 250,000 deaths annually between 2030 and 2050.

Charity Kathambi, Chair of the Parliamentary Caucus on Climate Change and Conservation, said as they convene, the threats posed by climate change are being felt across Africa and the world.

She cited recent flooding in Nairobi, which resulted in loss of life and significant property damage, as a stark reminder of the escalating impacts of climate change.

“Kenya and its sister nations are facing rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, devastating floods, pest infestations, and declining agricultural productivity. These events underscore the urgent need to address climate change and its far-reaching implications for communities, livelihoods, economies, and national stability,” she said.

Kathambi urged parliamentarians to act urgently in several key areas: “The Climate Change Act requires continuous review and strengthening, particularly in areas such as methane regulation, climate finance, accountability mechanisms, and frameworks for loss and damage.”

Methane emissions have increasingly become a central issue in global climate discussions. They directly drive climate change, contribute significantly to rising global temperatures, and accelerate the formation of ground-level ozone, which is harmful to human health and agricultural productivity.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas released from sources such as livestock digestion, decomposing waste, manure management, rice cultivation, fossil fuel extraction and wetlands.

Although methane remains in the atmosphere for a shorter period than carbon dioxide, it is significantly more powerful at trapping heat. Scientists estimate that methane is more than 80 times as potent as carbon dioxide over a twenty-year period.

This makes methane reduction one of the fastest and most effective strategies for slowing global warming in the near term.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in Kenya approximately 55–65% of methane emissions originate from livestock through enteric fermentation, 15–25% from waste, 5–10% from manure management and less than 5% from rice cultivation.

These statistics identify livestock, manure management, waste and rice production as key methane-emitting sectors that simultaneously present immense opportunities for innovation, investment and sustainable transformation.

susan.ndunda@royalmedia.co.ke