By Abdullahi Lukman
Power Shift Africa has expressed strong support for Kenya’s newly unveiled Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to renewable energy.
This new climate plan, which was part of Kenya’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, aims to reduce emissions by 35 percent by 2035, compared to a “business-as-usual scenario.”
A key feature of the plan is Kenya’s goal to power its electricity sector with 100 percent clean renewable energy. This target aligns with the broader commitments made during the COP28 summit in Dubai, as part of the Global Stocktake discussions.
The country plans to tap into its vast clean energy potential, including wind and solar, with an estimated cost of $22.5 billion.
Kenya will finance 20 percent of this transition, while the remaining 80 percent will rely on international support, such as climate finance and technology transfer from wealthier nations.
Kenya’s climate plan also focuses on adapting to climate change and addressing loss and damage.
Priority areas for adaptation include managing water shortages, improving resilience to natural disasters, and protecting agriculture from the impacts of climate change.
The adaptation plan has an estimated cost of $17.7 billion, with 19 percent to be funded domestically and 81 percent conditional on external support.
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Mr. Mohamed Adow, Director of Power Shift Africa, praised Kenya for its leadership on climate action, despite the country’s minimal carbon emissions.
“Kenya is showing true climate leadership by setting more ambitious targets than in its previous plan,” Adow, said, adding, “This is exactly what the Paris Agreement envisioned: countries ratcheting up their emissions reductions every five years to accelerate global climate action.”
He urged other nations to follow Kenya’s example and submit similarly ambitious climate plans.
Adow also highlighted the challenges Kenya faces as a developing nation with limited resources to fund its energy transition. While Kenya is committed to its climate goals, it requires international financial support to achieve the necessary scale of transformation.
He emphasized that richer nations, which have contributed most to global emissions, owe a “climate debt” to countries like Kenya that are disproportionately impacted by climate change.
However, Adow raised concerns about Kenya’s intention to use carbon markets as part of its strategy.
He warned that carbon markets, which are often exploited by polluting industries in wealthy countries, could undermine the effectiveness of the country’s climate efforts.
If Kenya chooses to participate in such schemes, Adow stressed the importance of protecting community rights, preventing land exploitation, and ensuring environmental integrity and accountability.
Power Shift Africa’s statement underscores the critical need for global cooperation in supporting Kenya’s ambitious climate goals, particularly through fair and transparent financial mechanisms.
