Client: Government of Kenya

About our client

Climate Impact Partners acts as a trusted advisor to the Kenyan government on climate and development issues. We make practical recommendations to help advance the country’s sustainable development journey, and attract funding for vital clean energy, food security and transport initiatives. The valuable insights we give government officials are also helping to reduce climate risks and transform people’s quality of life.

What we did

Firstly, we analyzed every proposed initiative in the Kenyan government’s Vision 2030 strategy, to identify the potential greenhouse gas footprint and climate risks. We recommended taking steps towards ‘decarbonizing’ the vision by moving from the proposed coal-powered electricity to solar and geothermal power.

We also reviewed the government’s 2018-22 National Climate Change Action Plan, which recognizes that climate change must be addressed if it’s to achieve the goals set out in Vision 2030. A raft of proposals included harnessing carbon finance to promote clean cookstoves and cleaner cooking fuels, incentivizing climate-smart agriculture, pursuing ambitious reforestation projects and moving freight by rail rather than road. 

Wherever possible, we sought external funding via the UNFCCC initiative, known as the Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions framework, to turn our recommendations into reality.

Climate Impact Partners also prepared Kenya’s second National Communication to the UNFCCC ahead of the historic 2015 Paris Climate Summit, leading a national consultation of stakeholders across government, industry, agriculture, and academia. We analyzed Kenya’s economic circumstances and development challenges in detail, measured its greenhouse gas inventory and assessed its vulnerability to climate risks, as well as plans to reduce emissions and help people adapt to the effects of climate change.

What positive outcomes did we deliver?

We supported government officials in building a clear picture of climate risks and opportunities in Kenya. This has helped to inform policy and measures to promote climate action and overcome barriers to change. At the same time, it attracted funding that allowed the government to advance its Climate Action Plan and Vision 2030 sustainable development goals.

For example, partially as a result of our work, the government removed the VAT on clean cookstoves in recognition of their positive impact on both climate and health. This encouraged a dynamic cookstoves market, attracted more investment to cleaner cooking fuels and made the stoves more affordable. 

Similarly, following our recommendations, the government is supporting a shift away from charcoal and helping people to climb the energy ladder by removing fuel duty on ethanol for cooking. We are working to remove the import duty and VAT too, while street-level dispensers for ethanol are making it easy for people to top-up their cooking fuel.

Our focus on achieving sustainable development issues through NAMAs has helped the country to attract funding for clean energy, waste management and low carbon transport initiatives. We’re also helping the government to fulfil its climate responsibilities on the global stage with specialist support, such as preparing the UNFCCC report.