Why cross-ministerial coordination is crucial in developing, implementing climate policy

Speaking during a high-level panel, Telvin Denje, a research fellow specializing in climate policy with the African Group of Negotiators, emphasized the value of inclusive participation in fostering a sense of ownership.

“When stakeholders from different ministries are involved in the development process, they take greater ownership. This involvement drives commitment to ensure the policy's implementation because everyone knows exactly what it entails,” Denje remarked.

Denje pointed out that Kenya has made significant strides in cross-ministerial coordination, both at the horizontal level (between different government departments) and the vertical level (between national and local governments).

“We need to maintain and strengthen this approach, while also integrating the private sector. Their involvement not only streamlines coordination but also brings much-needed financial support to climate action,” he added.

Despite these advancements, the panel highlighted a significant challenge: the lack of climate change knowledge among various ministries. This gap was cited as a major barrier to effective collaboration in combating climate impacts.

Richard Musota, Assistant Commissioner of Water Resources and Planning at Uganda's Ministry of Water and Environment, shared firsthand experiences of this challenge.

“Climate change impacts are no longer abstract—they are a daily reality. In Uganda, rainfall patterns have shifted, leading to prolonged droughts that were previously unheard of. Yet, in many ministries, there is limited understanding of climate issues. To some, it remains a concept shrouded in myth, and there are still officials who do not believe in its existence,” Musota explained.

He underscored the urgent need for comprehensive capacity building to bridge these knowledge gaps.

The experience of other countries underscores the importance of this coordinated approach.

In Sri Lanka, the application of multi-stakeholder cooperation has proven effective in advancing climate action.

Dr. Nishadi Eriyagama, a regional researcher from Sri Lanka, elaborated on this success story.

“The Climate Change Secretariat spearheaded the process, but the NDCs were developed by individual ministries and agencies serving as focal points for their respective sectors. This approach has guaranteed a sense of ownership and responsibility in implementing climate policies,” she noted.

This model of collaboration, where climate responsibilities are shared across various ministries with clear roles and continuous dialogue, has allowed countries like Sri Lanka to achieve substantial progress in climate action.

It demonstrates that fostering knowledge, capacity, and ownership across all levels of government is key to transforming national climate commitments into effective, actionable policies.