International Center for Environmental, Social and Policy Studies (ICESPS)
From TrustAfrica wiki - African Regional Organizations
Mr. J.P.L. Nyaberi
Executive Director
International Center for Environmental, Social and Policy Studies
Jubilee Exchange 5th Floor Room 504 Mama Ngina Street
P. O. Box 79246 Nairobi
Cell: +254-722-848360
Tel: +254-02-252969
Email: info@icesps.org
Website: http://www.icesps.org
James Nyaga, Program Coordinator
Track Record
The International Centre for Environmental, Social and Policy Studies (ICESPS) is a non-governmental organization established in 1996 with the main goal of providing a forum through which environmental protection and conflict resolution as well as policy analysis can be achieved. It was established to promote, encourage, safeguard, propagate, protect and restore the environment from degradation and control, delimit and enhance human dignity for the achievement of industrial, economic, technological and social development and to enhance conflict resolution for the achievement of peace and uninterrupted development. ICESPS is divided into 2 departments namely Environment Protection and Social Issues and Governance and Policy Issues.
In order to achieve its objectives, ICESPS uses consultancy, training, project implementation and research to implement programs focusing on environmental policy, sustainable development and capacity building, with emphasis on Research, Training and the promotion of grassroots community initiatives. The organization’s interests focus on the areas of Air Quality, Energy, Fresh Water, Rural Areas, Pollution, Laws and Regulations, Education, Capacity Building, Project Implementation, Scientific Research, Information, Policy, Planning and Administration and Recreation.
In its consultancy aspect, ICESPS has not only the ability but also the needed experience in consulting for and with other organizations on the following themes: Environmental Impact Assessment; Management Audit Systems; Project Finance Management; Hazardous Waste Management; Integrated river/lake basin Management; Micro-Finance and Social Development; Research Approach and Methodology; Project Administration and Reporting; Peace and Conflict Resolution Strategies; Environmental Law and Policy; Flood Management and Hydrology; Marine Monitoring and Evaluation; Water Quality and Ecology; Clearer Production Technology; and Renewable Energy Technology.
Likewise, ICESPS in collaboration with other reputable institutions around the world, offers training in both short and long term training program on Environmental Management and Social Development in the following areas: Conflict and Conflict Resolution; Environmental Law; Gender; International Relations; Diplomacy; Resource Management; Financial Accounting; Cleaner Production Technologies; Saving energy in micro and small enterprises; Water Resources Management; Corporate Environmental Management; Waste Management.
ICESPS is accredited on a consultative status to major International organizations, including UNEP (Nairobi), Habitat (Nairobi) GEF-UNDP, and other UN agencies vocal points, ECOSOC (New York) its team of experts is comprised of highly qualified professionals with extensive experience in various fields GALLILEE COLLEGE, ARAVA UNIVERSITY (Israel) DELFT (Netherlands) MURDOC UNIVERSITY (Australia) and BARD UNIVERSITY (U.S.A). ICESPS is also an active member of the intergovernmental negotiating committee for an international legal biding instrument on persistent organic pollutants (POPS) under UNEP and is also a member of the working group in the global mercury assessment (UNEP-chemicals Geneva).
Currently, a project on cross-border Biodiversity Conservation Audit is under way with the support of GEF.
Track Record
ICESPS in fulfilling its mandate has created a well-established and well-equipped resource centre with publications in the fields of Environment, Social and Economic issues, which can be accessed by nascent organizations engaging in similar work within and around Africa.
In it’s commitment to environmental management and sustainable development, ICESPS established the Legal Free Aid Program with the primary focus being provision of legal aid, environmental monitoring, education, advocacy and research. The program contributes to environmental protection as the affected people and communities are able to realise their rights in relation to the environment in the mid and long term.
ICESPS is one of the leading organizations in Africa spearheading research and assessments on environmental problems such as hazardous chemical wastes and pollutants In this regard, the organization has participated in various projects that have a regional and global outreach such as the Global Mercury Assessment Project under UNEP, named “status of mercury in E. Africa states” which is still ongoing; projects on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) East Africa status; Hazardous Waste Management; Ecotourism with particular emphasis on borehole drilling in Laikipia, Kenya, carried out in collaboration with Conserve International; a project on training on harmonization, compliance and enforcement of Environmental Law and a UNEP/UNDP/Dutch Project on trans-boundary movement of hazardous waste.
Challenges and Opportunities
At a regional level, the organization has undertaken research in various fields within East Africa and has made recommendations and proposals which are ready for implementation but are not funded. There are various opportunities for donor engagement in Kenya on the following research themes: Research on menace of ‘striga’ in Lake Victoria basins; Research on challenges of controlling corruption in Nairobi City Council and other Municipal Councils; Girl Child Education in South Nyanza; Status of Pollution of rivers in greater Nairobi areas; and Conservation farming in Muranga, Busia and Migori. Plans are also in place for Environmental Law training of lawyers within East African states.
The organization is also looking to diversifying its areas of operation to encompass the East, Central and Southern African states given its positive track record. With donor funding, the organization’s program areas can be replicated in these regional representations, encouraging the growth of environmental activism and action based on solid experiences.
