Evaluating the Role of International Agreements in Climate Change: A Case Study of The Paris Agreement in Kenya

Abstract

The study sought to evaluate the role of International (climate) agreements on climate change, employing Kenya's implementation of the Paris Agreement as a case study. The study particularly investigated the impact and efficiency of climate agreements. The study also evaluated Kenya's climate action efforts to implement the Paris Agreement. It also evaluated how local and international parties may help Kenya in its implementation efforts. subsequently, the research looked at the obstacles and possibilities Kenya encounters in meeting its commitments under the Paris Agreement. The study adopted institutional theory, regime theory, and the theory of environmental governance. The study used interpretivism philosophy to investigate subjective experiences and contextual understandings. This study adopted qualitative research design. The study's population comprised employees based at the headquarters of key environmental institutions in Kenya. These included individuals from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, the Kenya Forest Service, the National Environment Management Authority, the Environmental Committees of the Kenyan Parliament, and the Climate Change Department. Since data collection for the study was conducted using interview schedules saturation was achieved after 25 interviews, as no new themes, perspectives, or insights were emerging from subsequent responses. The study used primary data which was collected by conducting an interview. Data collection procedure begun with the researcher getting the appropriate consents and approvals from the relevant authorities. Once the approvals were in place, the researcher worked with individual interviewees to organize interviews at times that are convenient for them. From the findings, the study concluded that Kenya has made significant progress in implementing the Paris Agreement, particularly in areas such as policy alignment, renewable energy adoption, and environmental conservation initiatives. This progress reflects the country’s commitment to integrating global climate goals into its domestic agenda. The study further concluded that international agreements most notably the Paris Agreement have played a pivotal role in shaping Kenya’s climate policy landscape. These agreements have functioned not only as guiding frameworks but also as catalysts for domestic policy reforms, driving the formulation of legal instruments, sector-specific targets, and capacity-building programs. In relation to the third objective, the research established that while Kenya is on a positive trajectory, several challenges continue to hinder the full realization of its Paris Agreement commitments. These include financial limitations, land-use conflicts, illegal logging, and inadequate technical expertise, all of which constrain both the scope and pace of climate action. However, the study also identified opportunities that could accelerate progress, such as leveraging green financing, enhancing public-private partnerships, and adopting advanced climate monitoring technologies. Based on these conclusions, the study recommended that in order to enhance the effectiveness of Kenya’s implementation of the Paris Agreement, the government should increase investment in climate-related initiatives especially in technical capacity building, deployment of modern monitoring technologies, and community engagement programs. Finally, the study recommended that further research be conducted to assess the effectiveness of national climate policies in achieving the specific targets of the Paris Agreement in Kenya.