VCMI partners with Government of Kenya to support Carbon Markets Conference

Nairobi, Kenya – May 15, 2025: The Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) is proud to announce its partnership with the Government of Kenya in support of the upcoming Kenya Carbon Markets Conference, 2025, set to take place in Nairobi from May 19-20, 2025 under the theme Unlocking Kenya’s Carbon Market Potential: Overcoming Barriers and Harnessing Opportunities.

VCMI’s Executive Director Mark Kenber will deliver the keynote address during the conference’s opening session. In addition, Bianca Gichangi, VCMI’s Regional Lead for Africa, will moderate a panel discussion on Shifting Buyer Preferences: Navigating Demand for High-Integrity Carbon Credits on Day 1 at 12:30 PM.

This partnership marks a critical milestone as Kenya accelerates its ambition to become a continental and global leader in high-integrity carbon markets. Its recent policy developments, including the 2024 Carbon Market Regulations and the operationalization of a Designated National Authority, have positioned it at the forefront of carbon market innovation and integrity in Africa and beyond.

Backed by VCMI’s Access Strategies program, the conference builds on a series of high-level stakeholder dialogues hosted between March and April 2025. These pre-conference sessions explored the pillars of integrity and trust, investment and innovation, and collaboration and inclusion, laying the foundation for an inclusive and actionable roadmap.

Key objectives of the conference include:

1. Reaching consensus on strategies to drive Kenya’s carbon market forward, informed by stakeholder insights.
2. Validating the 2025 Carbon Market Decision Paper, a stakeholder-led roadmap and accountability tool.
3. Showcasing innovations in carbon project finance, MRV systems, and benefit-sharing models.
4. Mobilizing multi-sector partnerships to support market reforms grounded in integrity.
5. Empowering youth and communities through inclusive business models, co-ownership strategies, and skills development programs.

The expected outcomes of this pivotal conference include the release of a shared action plan to guide the operationalization of Kenya’s carbon market, enhanced clarity on Article 6.2 and 6.4 readiness, and the formation of cross-sectoral working groups to carry forward key recommendations.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Amb Ali Mohamed, Kenya’s Special Envoy for Climate Change in the Executive Office of the President, said:

“The Kenya Carbon Markets Conference presents a model of public-private collaboration that other governments can replicate to unlock private sector finance for climate and sustainable development. By building strong, transparent markets, we can direct vital finance to communities, accelerate sustainable development, and build a more resilient future for Kenya and beyond.”

ENDS

About VCMI

The Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) is an international non-profit committed to realising the full potential of high-integrity voluntary carbon markets (VCMs). Our mission is to empower companies, governments, and non-state actors to maximise the impact of their climate actions through the use of high-quality carbon credits.

VCMI’s Codes of Practice provide rigorous, science-aligned guidance for organisations to take credible and transparent climate action using high-quality carbon credits, enabling them to align their climate transition plans with accelerating progress to global net zero.

Through our Access Strategies Program, VCMI supports host countries, regions, and sectors to participate in high-integrity carbon markets and unlock the environmental, social, and economic benefits of carbon finance within national climate plans. This programme is instrumental in building the necessary infrastructure for countries to participate meaningfully and benefit from the global carbon market.

At VCMI, we are committed to integrity, transparency, and impact, ensuring that every carbon credit used contributes to real, verifiable climate progress.

For media enquiries, please contact: VCMI@bcw-global.com 

• Share