Power Shift Africa has welcomed the new national climate plan published by Kenya as part of its commitment to the Paris Agreement.
The plan, known as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), commits Kenya to reducing climate-heating greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2035, compared to a “business-as-usual scenario”.
The government has also committed to Kenya’s electricity being powered by 100% clean renewable energy, a response to the agreement negotiated at the COP28 summit in Dubai, as part of the Global Stocktake discussions.
Kenya calculates that embracing the country’s abundant clean energy potential of wind, solar and other renewables will cost $22.5 billion, with 20% delivered by the country through its own means and the remaining 80% reliant on international support such as climate finance and technology sharing from countries in the Global North.
On the issue of how Kenya will adapt to the climate crisis and deal with the loss and damage it causes, the plan outlines priority areas. These include managing the country’s resilience to water shortages, coping with disasters and reducing the impact of climate change on agriculture. The adaptation and loss and damage plan will cost $17.7 billion, with 19% covered domestically and the remaining 81% conditional on international support.
Mr. Mohamed Adow, Director of Power Shift Africa, said: “Despite only generating minimal carbon emissions, Kenya is demonstrating genuine climate leadership by strengthening its NDC with new targets that are more ambitious than its previous plan. This was the crucial design of the Paris Agreement; to see countries ratcheting up their emissions reductions every five years so that global action to tackle the climate crisis accelerates. This is a critical year. We need to see other countries now following Kenya’s example and submitting similarly ambitious plans.
“As a developing country, Kenya has limited resources to fund its energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables, whilst helping its people adapt to climate change. But it is showing the political will to go further. That is why it’s NDC is split into what it can achieve itself and a conditional element of how much further it can go with backing from the richer nations.
“It is accepted that the rich polluting countries that have caused the climate crisis owe a ‘climate debt’ to nations dealing disproportionately with extreme weather. That debt must be paid through international support which will boost climate action in developing countries and have a positive impact on global emissions and resilience to climate shocks.
“One area of concern, however, is Kenya’s intention to use carbon markets. These are ill thought through and are being exploited by polluting countries and their industries as a loophole for yet more pollution. If Kenya is to participate in any such scheme, it must protect community rights, prevent exploitation of land and prioritise environmental integrity and accountability.”
Find the full NDC plan here.