Kenya Launches Building Decarbonization Roadmap

Kenya invites GBPN to support development of Built Environment Decarbonization Roadmap

On August 2, 2024, Kenya took a significant step towards a sustainable future with the launch of the Kenya Built Environment Decarbonization Roadmap Workshop. Convened by the Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN) in collaboration with key stakeholders, the workshop aimed to chart a course towards reducing carbon emissions in Kenya’s built environment.

In his keynote speech, the Principal Secretary of the State Department of Public Works, PS Joel Arumonyang, emphasized the importance of achieving the net-zero targets.

“Kenya plays a critical role in Africa. We are a signatory to the Buildings Breakthrough. We have also made commitments at the African Climate Summit and at COP28. Kenya is also due to revise its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in 2025. And that is why this roadmap is so important,” Mr Arumonyang said.

“We’ve partnered with the Ministry of Environment and other players in the industry to ensure that we have a common agenda. I want to thank GBPN for partnering with us and taking the lead into bringing other players in the industry to this very important Road Map.”

The State department for Public Works, at the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing &Urban Development has invited GBPN to commence development of a National decarbonization roadmap for the buildings sector as part of the global Buildings Breakthrough Agenda. The workshop was organized and hosted by the Global Buildings Performance Network, with support from partners: Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll), United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS) and held at Fairview Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Urgent Need for a Decarbonization Roadmap

The importance of developing a decarbonization roadmap for Kenya’s built environment cannot be overstated, said Dr Peter Graham, Executive Director GBPN.

“Kenya has seen a steep rise in CO2 emissions, from 3.9 million tonnes in 1972 to 22.4 million tonnes in 2021 – a 3.89% average annual growth rate. With the built environment contributing approximately 32% of these emissions, addressing this sector is crucial for meeting Kenya’s climate goals,” Dr Graham said.

“In a business-as-usual scenario, Africa could overtake the United States as the second largest building sector emitter by 2050. Kenya was one of the first countries in Africa to enact a comprehensive law and policy to guide national and subnational climate action. With the roadmap, Kenya can lead the way in decarbonization of the built environment.”

The country has pledged to reduce emissions by 32% by 2030, aligning with its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The roadmap is a critical tool in achieving this target, particularly as the global south, including Kenya, faces significant challenges in climate action. The involvement of the State Department of Public Works and other key figures underscores the Kenyan government’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions.

Next Steps Towards a Sustainable Built Environment in Kenya

The workshop also highlighted the need for a people-centered, bottom-up approach to policy reform, said GBPN’s Africa Programs Lead, Mugure Njendu.

“We have successfully implemented and continue to work in other regions with a bottom-up and collaborative approach to policy reform. As the first step to the roadmap, we brought together a collaborative working group of diverse stakeholders from government ministries, professional associations and international partners at the workshop,” Ms Njendu said.

“During the sessions, the urgent need for climate action in the built environment was highlighted. There was also common consensus on the necessity for broader participation and more awareness of best practices. The roadmap will serve as a guide for Kenya to achieve its zero-emissions commitments, providing a clear path toward sustainable housing and infrastructure development.”

The project will consist of four phases. The first phase will see the identifying and setting up of a working group with key stakeholders from both public and private sectors. The second phase will include development of a baseline assessment to understand Kenya’s situational context to inform development of the Roadmap. A sector-wide validated and collaboratively developed Country Buildings Decarbonization Roadmap will be presented to the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development in the third phase. And finally the working group will develop sector specific NDC targets to be adopted in the 2025 Kenya NDC update.