Intermestic: Journal of International Studies
Vol 10 No 2 (2026)

KENYA’S ENVIRONMENTAL DIPLOMACY AT UNEP IN MOBILISING CLIMATE ADAPTATION FINANCE

Salome Nzuki (Padjadjaran University)
Dudy Heryadi (Padjadjaran University)
Siti Aliyuna Pratisti (Padjadjaran University)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 May 2026

Abstract

Climate change causes devastating socio-economic and environmental effects. Developing countries like Kenya that contribute little to global greenhouse emissions are disproportionately affected. This paper explores how Kenya’s environmental diplomacy at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) contributes to mobilisation of climate adaptation finance. The study is guided by concepts of environmental diplomacy and climate finance, utilizing qualitative research methods through semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis. The findings demonstrate that through environmental diplomacy at UNEP, Kenya strengthens diplomatic visibility, builds coalitions and global partnerships that would indirectly increase the chances of securing climate finance. Nonetheless, some drawbacks hinder the transformation of Kenya’s diplomatic leverage into concrete financial outcomes. These include geopolitics, institutional separation of UNEP and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), competition, bureaucracy and national institutional capacity. This research contributes to academic discourse on environmental diplomacy, affirming that to effectively mobilise climate finance, a country must balance between diplomacy, reinforcing national institutions and engagement with global governance structures.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

intermestic

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Economics, Econometrics & Finance Environmental Science Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences

Description

Intermestic Journal of International Studies (INTERMESTIC) is a peer-reviewed bi-annual academic journal. It is dedicated to facilitate the exchange of ideas and research on themes that focus on various issues within international-domestic spectrum or global-local relations by diverse actors, which ...