Kenya to Roll Out Article 6-Aligned Carbon Rules by Year-End

Kenya is accelerating efforts to solidify its position in international carbon markets, with three key climate regulations expected by the end of 2025. The upcoming rules will align with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and mark a significant step in shaping the country’s carbon market strategy, focusing on carbon trading, a national registry, and non-market cooperation.

Expansive view of a rich Kenyan forest, alive with wildlife and bathed in early morning light. AI generated picture.

Announced during the Gold Standard climate conference in Paris, the news signals Kenya’s intent to meet its global climate obligations while enabling project developers and investors to operate with greater clarity. “Our target is to get all these regulations by the end of this year principally to meet the international obligations we had under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement and the previous Kyoto protocols,” said David Ongare, Director of Environmental Compliance at Kenya’s National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

A new national registry is expected to play a central role in tracking and reporting on both voluntary and compliance-based carbon projects. ‘This registry should be able to handle and report all projects under voluntary and compliance schemes,’ Ongare added.

Kenya is also pursuing international climate cooperation through bilateral deals. A framework is already in place with Switzerland, and discussions are underway with Sweden, Singapore, and South Korea. While further details are yet to emerge, these partnerships could be key to unlocking a more dynamic role for Kenya in the global carbon economy.

In parallel, Kenya is working on implementing corresponding adjustments (CAs)—the carbon accounting process that ensures emissions reductions aren’t double-counted when credits are sold abroad. Ongare noted, ‘We are trying to borrow [and] build because we have targets to meet [and] developers who are knocking on the door.’

Although still under development, the new regulations will build on Kenya’s Climate Change (Carbon Markets) Regulations launched in 2023. Ongare also stressed that any system must be fair and consistent across negotiations: a warning against preferential treatment in bilateral deals and a call for standardised frameworks across the board.

Once released, all documents will be available through the Designated National Authority on NEMA’s website.