Consultancy Services for Undertaking a Climate Risk Assessment at Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT)

The primary objectives of the climate risk assessment are:

• Identify and analyze current and projected climate risks affecting Kenya's agricultural productivity and sustainability
• Assess the vulnerability of key crops, livestock, and farming systems to these risks.
• Evaluate existing adaptation strategies and their effectiveness in mitigating identified risks.
• Recommend actionable measures to enhance resilience and adaptive capacity within the agriculture sector.
• Provide an overview of available climate financing mechanisms and recommend the most suitable ones.
• Develop a climate risk mitigation and adaptation strategy, with particular focus on Agriculture and Climate financing options.

Scope of Work

• The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
• Climate Risk Assessment
• Data Collection: Gather relevant data on climate variability, projected climate impacts, sectoral vulnerabilities, and existing climate-related risks from both national and international sources.
• Climate Modelling: Utilize climate models and projections to assess future climate scenarios for the agricultural sector.
• Risk Identification: Identify and categorize key climate risks and vulnerabilities for sectors (e.g., agriculture, water, infrastructure, health).
• Vulnerability Mapping: Map vulnerable regions, communities, and critical infrastructure exposed to climate-related risks.
• Impact Analysis: Assess the potential economic, social, and environmental impacts of these climate risks.

Policy and Institutional Review

• Policy Analysis: Review existing climate-related policies, strategies, and programs at the national and local levels.
• Institutional Framework: Evaluate the roles and capacity of institutions responsible for climate risk management, adaptation, and financing.
• Gap Analysis: Identify gaps in existing climate risk management frameworks and policies.
• Climate Financing Assessment
• Climate Finance Landscape: Provide an overview of the current landscape of climate financing mechanisms (e.g., Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund, private sector investments, international development finance).
• Access Criteria: Analyze the eligibility criteria and access requirements for various climate financing sources.
• Strategy for Financing: Develop a strategy to enhance access to climate financing, including recommendations on policy adjustments, institutional improvements, and project preparation.
• Climate Risk Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy
• Adaptation Measures: Recommend specific adaptation measures to address the identified risks, with a focus on enhancing agricultural and livestock resilience and sustainability.
• Risk Mitigation: Propose mitigation actions that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to sustainable agricultural and livestock development.
• Integration with National Plans: Ensure the recommendations align with national climate action plans and international commitments (e.g., NDCs, SDGs).

Specific tasks to be undertaken

• Reviewing existing literature on climate risks in Kenyan agriculture.
• Analyzing historical climate data and future projections to assess potential impacts on agriculture.
• Assessing the availability and accessibility of green financing options for farmers and agribusinesses.
• Identifying barriers to effective utilization of green financing in the agricultural sector.
• Engaging with stakeholders, including government agencies, financial institutions, and farming communities, to gather insights and validate findings.

Methodology

• The assessment will employ a mixed-methods approach:
• Data Collection: Compilation of meteorological data, agricultural production statistics, and socioeconomic information.
• Climate Modeling: Utilization of downscaled climate models to project future climate scenarios specific to Kenya.
• Risk Analysis: Application of tools such as the Agricultural Risk Assessment framework to identify and prioritize risks.
• Use of GIS: Utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for spatial analysis of climate impacts.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Conducting qualitative assessments through interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders.
• Benchmarking: Benchmarking against best practices in climate risk assessment and green financing from comparable regions.

Report Preparation and Presentation

• Interim Reports: Submit progress reports at key stages of the assignment (data collection, analysis, strategy formulation).
• Final Report: Prepare and submit a comprehensive final report detailing:
• Overview of climate risks and vulnerabilities
• Assessment of the policy and institutional environment
• Climate financing opportunities and strategies
• Recommended climate risk mitigation and adaptation measures.
• Presentations: Present findings to key stakeholders, including government officials, development partners, and private sector representatives.

Deliverables

• Inception Report: Including detailed work plan, methodology, and approach.
• Interim Report(s): Regular updates and drafts on progress, findings, and initial recommendations.
• Final Report: A comprehensive document detailing the findings of the climate risk assessment, financing strategy, and adaptation/mitigation measures.
• Climate Financing Strategy: A strategic document outlining the climate finance pathways.
• Presentation Materials: PowerPoint presentations or other visual formats for stakeholder engagement.
• Policy Briefs (optional): Summarized documents outlining key findings for policy-makers.