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Kenya's new Climate Change (Non-Market Approaches) Regulations, 2026 is moving climate action beyond carbon-credit generation.[Istockphoto]
In the recent past, climate investment discussions in Kenya have largely centred on the domestic generation of carbon credits for sale in the global carbon markets. However, the country's new Climate Change (Non-Market Approaches) Regulations, 2026 point to a broader shift in how climate action is being approached, moving beyond carbon-credit generation and introducing a new set of considerations for developers, investors and sustainability-focused organisations.
Gazetted in February 2026, the Regulations operationalise Article 6.8 of the Paris Agreement, creating a formal framework for non-market approaches (NMAs). These are climate initiatives that contribute to mitigation, adaptation and sustainable development without relying on the creation or trading of carbon credits.
The framework is supported by the establishment of a national platform through which projects are submitted, assessed and tracked, reinforcing the formalisation of these activities within Kenya’s climate regime.
