Kenya has made impressive strides in establishing a legislative framework at the national and county levels, notwithstanding her international commitment to ratifying the Paris Agreement. At the national level, the Climate Change Act 2016 has shaped and enhanced Kenya’s efforts to address the impacts of climate change.

First, it resulted in the establishment of a Climate Change Fund to catalyze climate finance mobilization, which has been a great hindrance to implementing climate actions. Second, it recognized that climate change impacts are local and require local solutions. Through the Act, provisions for county governments to establish local mechanisms to address climate change were made mandatory. Through this, around ten counties have already enacted county climate change legislation.

The Climate Change Act 2016 also strengthened climate change governance by establishing a directorate of climate change at the national level, which has been instrumental in steering Kenya’s ambitions to address climate change drivers and their impacts.

Despite this, only real action and the reconnection between people and the planet will lead to sustainable change. If the Covid-19 pandemic is anything to go by, we must understand that without a balanced planet, there is no future. Sustainable Inclusive Business works with businesses in Kenya and across the continent to help them understand and appreciate their relationship with biodiversity while applying nature-based solutions, carbon offset-setting, and climate change. We believe in combining efforts to achieve a greater goal, faster – adaptation and mitigation of climate change to enhance resilience.

Food and Agriculture 

According to data by the FAO, “Agriculture is vital to Kenya’s economy, contributing 26 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and another 27 percent of GDP indirectly through linkages with other sectors. The sector employs more than 40 percent of the population and more than 70 percent of Kenya’s rural people.

Agriculture in Kenya is large and complex, with many public, parastatal, non-governmental, and private sectors. The sector accounts for 65 percent of the export earnings and provides the livelihood (employment, income, and food security needs) for more than 80 percent of the Kenyan population.”

Food Nutrition Security (FNS) is one of Kenya’s top priority areas, as highlighted in the agenda for the big four. Agriculture is the second-largest contributor to the country’s GDP after the service industry. The demand for food is on the rise, evidenced by the increased population, with the country having 47 million people (2019 Census); this is a growth of 23% from the last census conducted in 2009.

To illustrate the opportunities for circular agriculture in Kenya, we executed a report commissioned by the Netherlands Embassy, dubbed “Kenya and the Netherlands working together towards circular agriculture in Kenya.” The report provides 11 farming trends and opportunities that indicate the transition towards circular agriculture. It includes a selection of best practices across five areas hoped to inspire anyone working in the agricultural sector. Download the report.

Further, we’re working with the Beyond Cultural Limits Foundation (BCL), a Maasai community-driven organization that strives to create sustainable communities and environments. Founded by Faith Supeet, BCL aims to promote sustainable livelihoods within the Maasai community by providing clean water, creating community and kitchen gardens, and educating the community on resilience, collective living, economic sustainability, and climate-smart regenerative agricultural practices.

Water

Water scarcity and ‘day zero’ have been common phrases used over the past few years, for example, in South Africa and many others. In Kenya and Ethiopia, droughts are a yearly phenomenon. Yet, we are not conscious enough of water usage when available, with many people lacking access to potable water in East and Southern Africa. These droughts caused by global warming pose a serious threat to Kenya and Africa at large. The rainy seasons have become more unpredictable, and farmers fear their crops will be lost due to a lack of water.

In 2022, we surveyed the private sector, and 46% of the participants identified drought/water as the top sustainability issue they are addressing. For this reason, Sustainable Inclusive Business aims to increasingly partner with water and WASH experts to illuminate what sustainable water consumption means and the available technologies to optimize sustainable systems by applying the Circular Economy principles.

Energy

Non-renewable energy sources, particularly fossil fuels such as coal, are the dominant energy sources for electricity generation in most African countries. As the world transforms into a low-carbon and inclusive society, how can using renewable energy sources, such as biomass and biofuels, assist Africa in its transition to a low-carbon economy? South Africa has been criticized as the most intensive G20 economy with the highest coal reliance, and it is estimated that 85% of the nation’s electricity is generated using coal.

On the other hand, “Kenya has a liberalized energy sector and has made significant progress in recent years in formulating renewable energy policies. Kenya’s electricity power mix is among the most sustainable in the world, with 85% of electricity coming from renewable sources.”

Let us collectively seek solutions, such as renewable energy, regenerative models, and a just transition in Africa. Exchange knowledge, compare national and private best practices, and address challenges that hinder the achievement of more sustainable alternatives.