Kenya is looking to implement a greener economy by 2030 that would amount to an estimated $45 billion, according to a new study by the government and UNEP. In the “Green Economy Assessment Report”, Kenya said the transition to a low emission, resource efficient green economy will result in stronger economic growth. With an investment of 2% GDP, national GDP would exceed a business-as-usual scenario by about 12% by 2030.
The country already has policies to make this transition included in its long-term development blueprint and in the government’s Second Medium Term Plan. The report finds that further green energy investments could lead to about a 2% reduction in energy consumption and an expanded supply of electricity from renewable sources. Renewable energy would double geothermal capacity by 2030 and other renewable energy resources would also grow during this period, contributing to 20% of the total power supply.
The government is looking to heighten residential energy efficiency technologies like lighting and appliances with more investments going into geothermal, solar, wind, and biofuels. Cabinet Secretary of the Kenyan Ministry of Environment, Water, and Natural Resources Judi Wakhungu said: “A green economy revolution is already taking place in Kenya, where the harvesting of geothermal energy from the East African Rift is just one of the many renewable energy projects underway across the country. By learning to more accurately value our own natural resources, Kenya will be able to better harness these strategies as it moves towards a holistic, inclusive green economy in the future.”
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