African Parliamentarians Gather in Nairobi to Advance Methane Action and Sustainable Development

Parliamentarians from across Africa gathered in Nairobi, Kenya on 15–16 May 2026 for a regional seminar focused on accelerating climate action through methane reduction, highlighting the growing role of national legislatures in turning climate commitments into practical implementation. 

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The seminar, African Parliaments for Climate Action, Reducing Methane, Promoting Development, was organized by the Parliament of Kenya and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), in collaboration with Climate Parliament, the Climate Vulnerable Forum, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) 

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Bringing together parliamentarians and parliamentary representatives from across the continent, the event focused on how methane action can support broader development priorities, including food security, public health, energy access, sustainable urbanization and economic resilience. The discussions reflected growing recognition that methane is no longer only an environmental issue. As countries navigate rising climate impacts alongside economic and development pressures, methane mitigation is increasingly becoming a question of economic strategy, competitiveness and sustainable growth. 

Methane is responsible for a significant share of near-term warming and has more than 80 times the warming impact of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. But unlike CO₂, methane is short-lived in the atmosphere, meaning reductions can deliver rapid climate benefits. 

In Nairobi, participants repeatedly emphasized that cutting methane emissions represents one of the fastest opportunities available to slow warming while delivering immediate local benefits. The seminar highlighted the strong connection between methane action and development across Africa. Discussions focused on practical opportunities in agriculture, waste and energy systems, sectors that are central to livelihoods and economic development across the continent. 

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Participants also pointed to growing evidence showing the scale of opportunity for Africa. A landmark assessment released by the CCAC, UNEP and the African Union in 2022 found that implementing available solutions across the continent’s energy, agriculture, transport, residential and waste sectors could reduce Africa’s methane emissions by 74 per cent by 2063 while preventing 200,000 premature deaths annually by 2030. The assessment also highlighted major additional benefits for food security, crop yields, public health and economic productivity. 

For many participants, these findings reinforced the importance of integrating methane mitigation into broader national development strategies rather than treating it as a stand-alone environmental agenda. Across the discussions, parliamentarians stressed that climate and development goals must advance together, particularly in regions facing growing pressures linked to urbanization, food insecurity, energy access and economic vulnerability. 

In agriculture, participants explored how improved livestock management, better feed practices and low-emission farming approaches can reduce emissions while improving productivity and resilience. In the waste sector, discussions highlighted how better waste collection, organic waste treatment and circular economy approaches can reduce methane emissions while improving sanitation, creating jobs and strengthening public health outcomes. Energy sector discussions focused on reducing leaks, ending routine flaring and venting, and improving efficiency across oil, gas and coal operations. 

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Kenya’s own experience featured prominently throughout the seminar. As a CCAC partner since 2014, Kenya has advanced work on livestock methane action plans, strengthened greenhouse gas inventories in the dairy sector, and introduced waste management legislation aimed at reducing methane emissions from landfills. Participants noted that these efforts demonstrate how methane mitigation can support national priorities while strengthening food systems and sustainable urban development. 

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The event also underscored the importance of stronger parliamentary engagement in climate and methane action. Through legislation, budget oversight and accountability processes, parliaments play a central role in translating climate ambition into implementation. Participants discussed how parliamentary institutions can support enabling policy frameworks, strengthen oversight of government action, promote investment in data and statistical systems, and facilitate dialogue across sectors and stakeholders. 

A recurring theme throughout the seminar was the importance of ensuring that methane mitigation efforts reflect Africa’s national circumstances and development priorities. 

In an outcome statement released at the close of the meeting, participants emphasized that methane reduction efforts “must not compromise sustainable development or efforts to eradicate poverty” and highlighted the need for accessible finance, technology transfer, technical expertise and capacity building to support implementation across the continent. 

The statement also called for stronger cooperation among African parliaments, governments and regional institutions to help ensure that global climate and methane-related frameworks better reflect Africa’s priorities and realities. 

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The Nairobi seminar comes at a time of increasing international attention on methane action following the launch of the Global Methane Pledge and growing efforts to accelerate implementation ahead of COP31. For the CCAC and its partners, the event reflected a broader shift taking place globally, from awareness and political commitment toward implementation-focused action capable of delivering immediate climate, health and economic benefits. 

The message from Nairobi was clear. The solutions already exist, the benefits are immediate, and parliamentarians have a critical role to play in ensuring methane action delivers for people, economies and sustainable development across Africa.