By A, KNA
The Government of Kenya has launched the Kenya National Carbon Registry (KNCR), marking a major milestone in strengthening the country’s climate governance framework and readiness to participate in international carbon markets.
The KNCR serves as Kenya’s sovereign digital platform for registering, tracking, authorizing, and reporting carbon market activities.
It provides the national digital infrastructure required to ensure environmental integrity, prevent double counting, and align carbon market transactions with Kenya’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.
The launch, held in Nairobi on Tuesday, was presided over by Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Deborah Barasa alongside senior government officials, development partners, and representatives from Kenya’s carbon market ecosystem.
In her keynote address, Barasa described the Registry as ‘the digital heartbeat of Kenya’s green economy’ emphasizing that Kenya is moving from fragmented carbon activity to a unified, transparent, and accountable national system.
“For years, innovation thrived, but we lacked a single, trusted national ledger,” she said, adding that changes noting that the national carbon registry is the title deed of Kenya’s emissions reductions.
The Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change Festus Ng’eno underscored that Kenya’s carbon credits are sovereign assets protected under Kenyan law and anchored in the Climate Change Act and Carbon Markets Regulations.
“The Registry is the heartbeat that makes the Climate Change Act and Regulations come alive,” he noted, adding that Kenya is building an export-oriented carbon industry anchored on integrity, private sector empowerment, and tangible local benefits.
The launch builds on recent regulatory milestones, including amendments to the Climate Change Act (2016), the gazettement of the Carbon Markets Regulations (2024), and the establishment of the Designated National Authority (DNA) for carbon markets.
Together, these reforms provide the legal certainty required for a fully operational and regulated carbon market ecosystem.
The KNCR was developed through a partnership led by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and the Climate Change Directorate, with support from international partners.
The Registry development was supported by the European Union’s Data Governance in Africa Initiative and the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through GIZ Kenya.
EU Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger emphasized the importance of a strong carbon markets system.
“Kenya should develop carbon credits as a premium export product. This is the 21st century; we cannot rely only on tea, coffee and avocado for export income.” She said.
She further pointed out that a functioning national carbon registry is the backbone of that integrity for it ensures transparency in the issuance, tracking, and transfer of carbon credits.
“The Registry prevents double counting. It strengthens compliance with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. And it gives investors the necessary confidence.” said Geiger.
Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Germany Maren Kneller said that the Federal Republic of Germany has reaffirmed its continued support for Kenya’s climate ambition.
“Kenya has already made significant progress in operationalizing carbon markets, demonstrating its leadership in the region and its commitment to building a green economy” said Kneller adding that as one of the first NDCs in Africa, it was perceived as a strong signal of Kenya’s climate commitment
Kneller added that the Federal German Government has been supporting Kenya in enhancing its climate ambition. One milestone of our cooperation was the development of Kenya’s new NDC 2031–2035.
The Registry’s technical implementation was led by Verst Carbon, working closely with national institutions to design a system aligned with international standards while reflecting Kenya’s sovereign context.
Speaking during the launch, Chief Technology Officer at Verst Carbon Ian Mutai emphasized that the Registry represents a fundamental shift in Kenya’s carbon market infrastructure.
“Today’s launch is not just a ceremonial moment. It marks a clear transition from development to national operationalization” said Mutai, adding that the outcomes depend on trust in the process, trust in the data, and trust in the decisions.
Mutai said Kenya’s carbon market is ultimately about outcomes: cleaner energy, healthier communities, restored landscapes, and investment that reaches the places it is meant to reach
He noted that the KNCR has been developed, tested, and institutionally validated to ensure that transparency and accountability are embedded at the core of Kenya’s carbon market ecosystem.
Prior to the launch, the KNCR underwent stakeholder consultations, user acceptance testing, and institutional validation to ensure readiness for live implementation.
As Kenya advances bilateral carbon cooperation agreements and deepens participation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, the KNCR positions the country as a credible and transparent partner in the global green economy.
With the launch of the National Carbon Registry, Kenya strengthens national oversight, enhances transparency, and sets a new benchmark for how carbon markets can be built on integrity, accountability, and strong digital governance.
Established under the Climate Change Act (2016, as amended) and the Climate Change (Carbon Markets) Regulations, 2024, the Registry ensures transparency, prevents double counting, and safeguards the environmental integrity of carbon transactions.
The KNCR supports Kenya’s participation in voluntary carbon markets and cooperative approaches under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
It strengthens national oversight of carbon projects, enhances accountability to stakeholders, and provides a secure and interoperable digital system aligned with international best practices.
Through the KNCR, Kenya reinforces its commitment to high-integrity carbon markets, sustainable development, and climate leadership in Africa.