Climate change is a defining existential threat of our time. It is not just an environmental crisis but a profound social and moral one that exacerbates inequalities, displacing vulnerable populations, threatening global food and water systems and deepening economic injustice. Climate change poses a threat to Kenya’s socio-economic wellbeing, jeopardizing the achievements made under initiatives such as Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. It is imperative that we address this challenge with urgency and dedication, focusing on the rights of vulnerable and marginalized communities who bear the brunt of adverse climate impacts.

The Centre for Education Policy and Climate Justice is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing climate justice through grassroots advocacy, education, capacity building and community-led solutions. With a deep commitment to environmental equity, CEPCJ aims to address the disproportionate impact of climate change on historically marginalized communities.

At CEPCJ, our work is guided by the Constitution of Kenya, which recognizes the right to a clean and healthy environment, access to information, participation in decisions, and access to justice. We also align with international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 13 and SDG 16) as well as the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, inter alia.

Through robust research, grassroots advocacy, capacity building and education, we aim to advocate for inclusive and effective climate laws and policies. We are at the forefront of sensitizing communities and businesses on climate justice, building their capacity to address climate change and undertaking critical research to contribute to these initiatives. We believe in advancing business and human rights in the context of climate justice to ensure that there is corporate respect for human rights of the communities in which transnational enterprises operate. As industries decarbonize, we advocate for a a just transition framework to ensure that workers, communities, and supply chains are not left behind.

I invite you to join us in this crucial endeavour. Together, we can build a more just and sustainable future for all.

Warm regards,

Florence Shako

Founder and Executive Director, CEPCJ

Our approach is to advance climate justice through:

1. Research
2. Grassroots advocacy
3. Policy Advocacy
4. Education and Capacity Building

This programme advances the core mandate of CEPCJ, which is advancing climate justice by focusing on:

a) Climate Adaptation and Mitigation

Climate adaptation refers to adjusting systems, practices, and infrastructure to reduce harm or take advantage of opportunities resulting from current or expected climate impacts.  The key goal is to reduce vulnerability and increase resilience of communities, economies, and ecosystems.

Climate mitigation involves reducing or preventing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. It aims to address the root causes of climate change by slowing or halting global warming. The key goal is to reduce global temperatures by cutting emissions.

b) Advancing a Just Transition

A just transition refers to the framework and process of shifting to a low-carbon economy in a way that is fair, inclusive, and equitable, ensuring that no one is left behind—especially workers, communities, and countries that are currently dependent on fossil fuels or are disproportionately vulnerable to climate change.

A just transition ensures that the move toward a sustainable, green economy:

• • Respects workers’ rights and livelihoods
  • Centers equity and social justice
  • Redresses historical inequalities
  • Supports affected communities with resources and participation

c) Loss and Damage

Loss and Damage (L&D) refers to the negative impacts of climate change that go beyond adaptation and mitigation. It addresses real and irreversible harms – economic and non-economic – that result from climate-related events such as extreme storms, sea-level rise, droughts and slow-onset disasters.