Trade has an impact on the environment. Trade undeniably exacerbates climate change. Climate change impacts such as drought, floods, severe weather, and sea-level rise are likely to result in food shortages, increases in insecurity, infrastructure damage, and the degradation of natural resources upon which livelihoods are based. The negative impacts of climate change hit poor people and poor countries disproportionately. In other words, climate change threatens development objectives and is affected by development choices. Furthermore, the impacts of climate change are likely to become progressively more significant in the years and decades beyond the 2030 target date for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In principle, various development activities could help reduce vulnerability to many climate change impacts. In some cases, however, ‘development as usual’ may inadvertently increase vulnerability mainly because of maladaptation. The risk of maladaptation points to the need for countries to systematically assess climate risks and vulnerabilities and to include potential adaptation measures in development policies, plans and projects. Yet, many development policies, plans and projects currently fail to consider climate variability, let alone climate change. While efforts to integrate climate change adaptation into development will be led by developing country partners, donor agencies have a critical role in supporting such efforts and integrating such considerations within their organizations. To this end, partners and donors alike need adequate guidance. This paper examines policies and structural areas that could help Kenya make strides in adapting to climate change by building resilience and improving coping mechanisms through sound policies and strategies.