Did you know that Kenya loses 2.0–2.4% of its gross domestic product annually due to effects of climate change?Did you also know that droughts cost Kenya 8% of GDP every five years.
Climate change in Kenya has posed an increasing threat to social-economic development as well as environmentally sustainability. We have experienced extreme weather events like floods, prolonged drought, higher temperatures and irregular rains.
The effects of climate change can be seen in reduced agricultural produce, stunted economic growth, water scarcity as well as food insecurity.
What can a country like Kenya do to combat change? What are some of the behaviours and patterns that we as Kenyans can adapt?
Plant trees! Save the environment!
Trees cover 7.4% of Kenya’s land. Trees are important in providing water quality, preventing soil erosion, supports wildlife as well as absorbing greenhouse gases. Unfortunately, we lose over 5,000 hectares of forest annually. In the last 15 years, we have lost 25% of our forest cover. This poses a problem to both our livelihoods and wildlife too.
COP 27
This week, conference of Parties (COP 27) has been organized for nations to deliberate on tackling the global challenge of climate change to help solve countries’ climate change induced problems.
Nations are making a call to individuals and organizations as well. It is in our benefit to ensure this is a combined effort as the effects of climate change will not impact one and leave the other. We are in this together and to save our planet, we need to make drastic changes in the ways we live as well as find alternative to the kind of energies we use.
At COP 27, the Race to Zero campaign was emphasized, rallying leadership and support from businesses for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.
One of the businesses that has headed the call for the Race to Zero is Safaricom PLC.
SafaricomPLC is the largest communications provider in Kenya, contributing 6.5% of the country’s GDP. The Telco has integrated United Nations’ Sustainable Developments Goals into its wider strategy, and sees environmental considerations as core to achieving commercial sustainability and success. This has led to Safaricom making a commitment to becoming a net zero company by 2050.
Let us look at some of the ways the telco is combating Climate Change
On the Environment, Safaricom PLC has partnered with Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to plant a forest of one million indigenous trees over five years. The project is expected to offset over 300,000 tonnes of carbon once the trees have grown to maturity.
On Renewable energy, the Telco has continued to spearhead green solutions on their network sites, particularly the installation of renewable energy alternatives to high-carbon technologies.
Most of their sites have discontinued the use of generators and have been replaced by battery power as back up. Hybrid systems have been rolled out at using lithium batteries and solar power, supplemented by 50 per cent generator power.
On emissions, Safaricom PLC also reduced its emissions by 8.3% as a result of the decrease in diesel use, despite the increase in the number of sites. This was attributed to the use Fuel Management System (FMS), energy efficient devices and renewable energy solutions.
Scope 2 emissions increased by around 12.6 per cent, nonetheless, because of the continued expansion of our network and the accelerated connection of national grid electricity to new sites (instead of being powered by diesel generators).
Our Scope 3 emissions also increased slightly from 3,814 tonnes in FY18 to 5,818 tonnes in FY19.
On waste management, the Telco has partnered with Taka Taka Solutions, a local waste management company to separate all their waste for recycling. Over 97% of all waste from their main facility is either reused, repurposed or recycled. This can also be seen in the suppliers who work with Telco. As a requirement, all suppliers need the environmental compliance certification to qualify as a supplier.
Still on waste management, Safaricom PLC is dedicated to becoming a plastic-free environment by eliminating all single-use plastic at their facilities and minimising the plastic used in their retail packaging.
Single use plastic has been completely phased out in all cafeterias and the staff are encouraged to carry reusable water bottles. All plastic tumblers for visitors has also been replaced with glass.
Since the beginning of this initiative, the have removed 2.52 tonnes of plastic from the organisation, conserved 8.64 tonnes of paper, and saved KSh 46.8million.
As a country, we have a problem of disposing off our old phones, laptops, printers, cables and wires. These contain hazardous materials such as mercury, cadmium and sulphur. They have filled our landfills and some are burned emitting dangerous smoke into the air. Safaricom PLC has partnered with Waste Electrical Equipment by collecting old phones, wires, batteries, who in turn recycle them for use.
Should you be stranded with old phones, cables, tablet or computers, you can drop them at your nearest Safaricom retail shop for recycling. Check your your nearest shop here Safaricom centers
While they admit that achieving zero net emissions cannot be done overnight, they are committed to a series of reduction targets including a 43% reduction by 2030 and a 74% by 2050 from a 2017 base year, which has been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.
They intend to reach net zero by addressing remaining emissions through certified carbon offsets. Measures to ensure that Safaricom can meet these targets include include solarising sites, modernising power systems and moving away from fossil power.