The Inaugural National Steering Committee Meeting On Environmental-Economic Accounting

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has reaffirmed its leadership in climate action and sustainable development by officially launching the National Steering Committee (NSC) on Environmental-Economic Accounting (EEA).

The meeting brought together key government agencies, international partners and stakeholders in order to align efforts on the implementation of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA).

The SEEA is statistical framework developed by the United Nations that supports tracking of natural resources such as energy, water, forests and land while integrating them into National Economic Planning for Development.

While Inaugurating, the Economic Planning Principal Secretary, Dr. Bonface Makokha highlighted that the initiative is expected to build strong, evidence-based systems that inform sustainable resource management and support Kenya’s international commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement among others.

“This National Plan facilitates measurement of what truly matters; the forest, water bodies, biodiversity and ecosystems thus ensuring their protection while pursuing economic growth,” PS Makokha said.

The Steering Committee’s formation comes shortly after the Economic Accounts for Climate Action: Kenya’s National Plan which was held on 9th September 2025 at the UNECA Pavilion (C7). The event showcased Kenya’s ambitious national plan to produce high-quality environmental statistics in line with the Vision 20230 Economic Blue Print.

In his remarks, the State Department for Environment and Climate Change Principal Secretary, Dr. Festus Ng’eno demonstrated high-level support for the initiative.

In a speech read on his behalf by Dr. Margaret Mwangi , PS Ng’eno reiterated that this multi-sectoral collaboration underscores the need for integrated environmental and economic data to support informed policymaking and adaptive planning.

During the Steering Committee meeting, key presentations led by the KNBS Director General, Dr. Macdonald Obudho, outlined the Terms of Reference (ToR) and strategic objectives of Kenya’s National Plan for Advancing EEA from the year 2025 to 2028.

Dr. Obudho provided a comprehensive background of the NCA/SEEA initiative in Kenya. He emphasized on the importance of institutional coordination, capacity building, and policy alignment in the success of environmental-economic accounting.

The World Bank Senior Natural Resource Economist, Environment and Blue Economy Coordinator Diji Chandrasekharan, added that global context highlighting international best practices and how Kenya’s leadership is inspiring similar efforts across the continent.

Moreover, the Steering Committee wrapped up the session by discussing the way forward including capacity Building, strengthening of data systems and engagement of the government at both National and County levels. A dedicated Q\&A session further enriched the dialogue between stakeholders.

Kenya is scheduled to host the 3rd Global Data for Development Festival in Nairobi in June 2026, the Country is clearly positioning itself as a continental hub for data-driven governance, environmental stewardship as well as inclusive development.

In attendance during the meeting were representatives from various critical Natural Resource State Departments such as Energy, Environment, Water and Sanitation,Forestry and Mining among others.