STORY: Kenya launches ecosystem restoration strategy via tree planting
SHOOTING DATE: Feb. 27, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 28, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:39
LOCATION: Nairobi
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT

SHOTLIST:
1. various of tree planting by Kenyan First Lady Rachel Ruto and UNEP officials
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): RACHEL RUTO, Kenyan First Lady
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): LEILA BENALI, President of UNEA-6
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): SOIPAN TUYA, Kenya's cabinet secretary for environment, climate change and forestry

STORYLINE:

Kenyan First Lady Rachel Ruto launched a landscape and ecosystem restoration strategy on Tuesday at the only closed canopy forest in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, aiming to plant an additional 500 million trees countrywide.
   
The launch, coinciding with the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) in Nairobi, will complement government efforts to grow 15 billion trees by 2032. Kenyan President William Ruto initiated the campaign in 2023 to plant 15 billion trees, aligning with the state's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, restoring 5.1 million hectares of degraded landscapes, and increasing tree cover by 30 percent.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): RACHEL RUTO, Kenya's First Lady
"This strategy goes beyond ecological restoration. It's about nurturing a symbiotic relationship between people and nature. We understand our actions affect the well-being of our communities, the prosperity of our nation and the heritage and the inheritance we leave for our future generations."

In addition to addressing the triple planetary crisis, the ecosystem restoration initiative is expected to unlock green jobs and transform the livelihoods of women, youth and small-holder farmers, she said.

The initiative aligns with the UN decade for ecosystem restoration and the Africa forest landscape restoration initiative, underscoring its crucial role in hastening nature-positive growth.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): LEILA BENALI, President of UNEA-6
"Ecosystem restoration has its countless benefits. It can save species from extinction. It protects ecosystems services in our societies. It can also help soak up climate warming greenhouse gases, protect communities from the ravages of climate change and pollution and biodiversity loss, but it can also empower women, indigenous people, local communities. These are the most affected by ecosystem degradation. It can create jobs and economic opportunities including in developing countries. Let me give you one number. Every dollar invested in restoration creates up to 30 dollars in economic benefits."

Soipan Tuya, cabinet secretary for environment, climate change and forestry, said that the restoration of vital ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, mangrove swamps and savannah grasslands, has accelerated to boost the country's climate response and achieve food, water and energy security.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): SOIPAN TUYA, Kenya's cabinet secretary for environment, climate change and forestry
"In order to accelerate our targets of 15 billion trees we recognize the need to broaden our approach by reaching out to all stakeholders listening to them, engaging them and charting a way forward."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nairobi.
(XHTV)