Climate change refers to long term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns[1]. The shifts can be because of natural causes but largely as a result human activity. Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges of our time, with far-reaching impacts on the ecosystems, human systems and economies. The impact of climate change on ecosystems includes: increased floods, storms, droughts, increased pests, severe fires, changes in species and populations and changes in the timing of natural events and cycles. The impact on human systems includes: water scarcity, low agriculture/food production, low animal and livestock productivity, reduced fish yields and aquaculture production, increased infectious diseases, malnutrition, mental health problems and displacement[2]. The economies are also affected leading to decrease in tourism and recreation industries, reduced livelihoods of fishers and farmers and damages to infrastructure as a result of flooding.
The World Bank estimates that by 2030, under high climate change scenarios, 39.7 million people will be pushed into extreme poverty in the South of the Sahara[3]. Currently, the consequences of climate change and the need for robust social protection measures are being felt. The World Social Protection 2024 – 26 by the ILO highlights critical gaps in social protection coverage, particularly in Africa. While coverage has increased from 15.2 percent in 2015 to 19.1 percent, this improvement is overshadowed by the vulnerability of populations in countries affected by climate change. In the 20 countries identified as most vulnerable to climate crisis, only 8.7 percent of the population has access to social protection benefits leaving 364 billion people wholly unprotected[4].
Social protection comprises policies and programs designed to free individuals from poverty and vulnerability through the provision of transfers safety nets like cash transfer programs[5]. Social protection can greatly support households in the face of a rapidly changing climate. It helps households cope with the immediate impacts of climate related shocks. Social Protection involves an ongoing effort to establish measures, such as those addressing droughts, floods, and other climate-related disasters[6].
Africa contributes approximately 4 percent of global carbon emissions, yet it bears the greatest impacts of climate change which means that social protection initiatives are essential to support vulnerable communities. The continent is home to some of the world's most vulnerable populations, who are increasingly exposed to the detrimental effects of a warming planet. These impacts are manifesting in various ways, including extreme weather events, prolonged droughts, and rising sea levels, all of which exacerbate existing challenges such as poverty and inequality.
Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is also a significant driver of social and economic inequality. The poorest communities, who have the least capacity to adapt, are the most vulnerable and susceptible to climate-related food price hikes, which can push them further into poverty. They often live in areas more exposed to natural hazards, such as flood-prone regions or arid zones, and when disasters strike, they tend to lose a larger proportion of their assets and livelihoods compared to wealthier groups.
In addition, the degradation of ecosystems; caused by factors like deforestation, desertification, and pollution; disproportionately affects these communities. Many of the poor rely heavily on natural resources for their survival, such as farming, fishing, and gathering. As these resources become scarcer or less productive due to environmental changes, their ability to sustain themselves diminishes, leading to deeper poverty and heightened inequality[7].
Climate change is perpetuating and increasing poverty. The poor are more vulnerable to climate related food price hikes, are often more exposed to hazards, experience loss to disasters and are disproportionately affected by ecosystem degradation as they are most reliant on natural resources for their livelihoods[8]. Climate change intensifies inequalities, disproportionately affects populations in vulnerable situations and creates new intersecting vulnerabilities across different groups, including marginalized groups based on factors like gender, age, race, geographical location and disability among others.
The socioeconomic impacts of climate change also decrease overall well-being across the non-poor and contribute to making new groups vulnerable affecting societies. The effects of climate change are not uniform, with vulnerable populations often experiencing the most severe impacts[9]. Communities in low-lying coastal areas, arid regions, and developing countries are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change, which manifest as food insecurity, displacement, and loss of livelihoods[10]. In response to these challenges, social protection becomes crucial, aiming to address the vulnerabilities aggravated by climate change. (more…)
The Government of Kenya (GoK) recognized the need to expand social protection coverage and is gradually adopting a universal approach for children.
The journey started in 2017 during the Kenya Social Protection Sector Review II when there was a long-term proposal of exploring the possibility of establishing a broader child benefit for children aged under 5 years. This was integrated in the draft Kenya Social Protection National Investment Plan 2018 and subsequently the draft Kenya Social Protection Strategy.
In February 2019, the GoK participated in the Universal Child Benefit (UCB) Global conference in Geneva. In June of the same year, a technical working group chaired by the Social Protection Secretariat was formed. In November, a benchmarking study in South Africa and a feasibility study, which included stakeholder consultations, were done.
In May 2020, a policy note on UCB as COVID-19 response was developed which led to the decision to implement a pilot in Kisumu, Kajiado and Embu counties. As of March 2023, the stakeholders have validated a policy proposal on A Universal Child Benefit for Kenya that Leaves No Child Behind.
The Government of Kenya aims to progressively provide universal child benefit to all children. Universal Child Benefit is as an unconditional cash payment on a regular basis to the whole population of children through their primary caregivers. It must be unconditional, paid regularly, and to every child in the country regardless of their family’s income, employment, status or level of need[1].
The rationale for Universal Child Benefit in Kenya is based on the human right that all children have a right to social security. This is enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya and in international instruments of which Kenya is a signatory. Article 26 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) calls on State parties to recognize the right for every child to benefit from social security.
Article 27 further indicates that state parties recognize the right of every child to a standard of living adequate for the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development[2]. In addition, Article 43(1) of the Constitution of Kenya states that every person has the right to social security.[3]
A significant number of children in Kenya experience deficiencies in their diets. In 2021, over one quarter of children under five years suffered from chronic malnutrition - a growth failure resulting from a lack of adequate nutrients over a long period. Another 4.2% of the children were affected by acute malnutrition, which concerns a rapid deterioration in the nutritional status over a short period.[4]
Lack of proper diet impacts on a child’s brain development with long term consequences for economic growth. It is estimated that in 2014, child under nutrition caused a loss of 6.9% of GDP (US$ 4.2 billion) in Kenya[5].
The Social Protection systems in Kenya currently exclude a vast majority of children. Poverty targeting excludes children including the poorest who would stand to benefit most from a universal child benefit. For example, the cash transfer to orphans and vulnerable children programme excludes children who need social protection. A universal approach will not have exclusion errors since it covers all children and it will be the most effective.
Most households in Kenya are living on low incomes. Widespread low incomes mean that many families are living precariously. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, shows that 36.1% of Kenyan households are classified as poor with the remaining 63.9% or 30.39 million being non-poor. This means that a third of the non-poor represents 10.02 million, with majority of them being the “floating middle class.”[6]
In Kenya, 42% of children (8.7 million) were living in monetary poverty and an estimated 53% of children (11.1 million) living in multidimensional poverty (KNBS, 2020)[7]. In 2016, 69% of children in Kenya were living in poverty when measured by IPL of US$3.65PPP) per day (KES 187). 94% were living on less than US$6.85 (PPP) per day (KES 351). The universal child benefit as a crucial programme to alleviate the poverty impact among children.
The benefits of the Universal Child Benefit policy proposal include: cash transfers – which can have significant positive impacts on the nutritional health of children; Improved health and education outcomes to strengthen human capital, and; reducing inequality and stimulating growth. Moreover, a child benefit offered to all children would act as a stimulus to support the economy and promote bottom up growth. A universal (or near universal) child benefit approach is also likely to improve social cohesion and strengthen Kenya’s national social contract.
Finally, the proposed child benefit is likely to generate significant impacts on Kenya’s national poverty rate and contribute to higher returns on investments. Investing in children has high economic returns.
[1]https://www.unicef.org/eca/media/13446/file/UCB%20in%20Europe%20and%20Central%20Asia%20English%20.pdf
[2] https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/crc.pdf
[3] http://kenyalaw.org/lex/actview.xql?actid=Const2010
[4] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1227076/extreme-poverty-rate-in-kenya/
[5] http://www.nutritionhealth.or.ke/wp-content/uploads/COHA_Infographics/COHA%20-%20Kenya%20Report%20-%20November%202019.pdf
[6] https://dc.sourceafrica.net/documents/119905-KNBS-Economic-Survey-2020.html
[7] https://www.unicef.org/kenya/media/3051/file/SP%20Nutrition%20case%20study.pdf
The event took place on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, during the 61st Session of the Commission for Social Development CSocD61.
The event was dedicated to the memory of Prof. Michael Cichon. Michael was a committed member and tireless advisor of the GCSPF, he has been an inspiring example to so many people around the world.
Moderator: Eppu Mikkonen, Finnish Development NGOs Fingo
Session 1: Welcome and overview of the topic
• Ms. Hanna Sarkkinen, Minister of Social Affairs and Health of Finland - The road to the Social Summit 2025, the urgency of a “renewed” social contract to ensure full implementation of the right to social protection. Download the speech.
• Dr. Veronika Wodsak, ILO/USP2030 - Priority Theme - decent work, SPF; evidence of SP impact. Download the presentation.
• Priscilla Gavi, Africa Platform for Social Protection (APSP) – Charting progress on the right of all Citizens of Africa to Social Protection. Download the presentation.
Session 2: Action for Change: collaboration between civil society and the United Nations
• Laura Alfers, Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO) - Ensuring the informal sector have the right to social protection. Download the presentation.
• Dr. Abiola Tilley-Gyado, Board Chair, Society for Family and Social Protection in Nigeria, board member of Nigeria Network of NGOs/GCAP Nigeria; Experience and call for action of those who are Left Behind. Download the presentation.
• Paul Divakar, GCAP Global Co-Chair
• Nicola Wiebe, Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors; Financing gaps and role of the Global Fund. Download the presentation.
The side event was organized by the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF), and co-organized by Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), Gray Panthers, African Platform for Social Protection (APSP), Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd.
The Concept Note is here and the invitation is here.
Read the position paper of the GCSPF at the CSocD61.
The Priority Theme of the 61st Session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development (CSocD61) is ‘Creating full and productive employment and decent work for all as a way of overcoming inequalities to accelerate the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.’ The CSocD was held from 6 to 15 February 2023 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
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