“Win-win” climate solutions for Ethiopia and Kenya to benefit people and the environment

A recent report “Nordic Green to Scale for Countries/Africa” by Stockholm Environment Institute Africa Centre highlights how Ethiopia and Kenya can benefit from the experience of other countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 16 percent compared to the projected business as usual emissions by 2030, and boost their economies.

Dr. Richard Munang, Africa Regional Coordinator, Climate Change, UN Environment commented:

“UN Environment is working with the Kenyan ministries of agriculture, environment, energy, trade and finance to establish coherent fiscal incentives to promote sustainable agriculture and clean energy among others.”

The report identifies cost-effective climate solutions in the agriculture, transport, energy, buildings and households, and forests sectors. If Ethiopia and Kenya utilise the suggested solutions from the report, savings of US $50 million may be achieved by 2030.

The use of renewable energy in Kenya will have many benefits such as boosting energy security, cutting air pollution and related impacts, reducing the need for imported fuels, providing new income streams and tax revenues, creating jobs and increasing or maintaining ecosystems.

Mbeo Ogeya, Research fellow at the Stockholm Environment Institute Africa Centre noted:

“There is tremendous scope for ramping up solar power in Kenya. Currently solar constitutes less than one per cent of the country’s energy mix.”

The report also noted that investments in cycle paths and walkways can contribute to health and environmental benefits as well as mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition, the biggest “win-win” greenhouse gas reductions pertained to low-carbon agriculture, afforestation and reforestation.

Legislation proceedings have been implemented since 2009 to ensure that all agricultural land has 10 percent tree cove, with Kenya pledging to have 10 percent tree cover by 2030.

Niklas Hagelberg, Social Programme Officer, UN Environment noted:

“To tackle the climate change crisis, we need to involve everyone and take action together. Seizing the potential of existing climate solutions and scaling them up in a novel way will help countries meet their current commitments – and go beyond them.”

The AIDF Africa Summit will return to Nairobi in February 2019.

Interested in Climate Smart Agriculture? View the complete footage of our Climate Smart Agriculture Summit 2018 here, where Dr Richard Munang was a keynote speaker.

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