Kenya Carbon Credit Market Trends

Market Driver – Increasing Global Warming in Kenya

Increasing temperatures and changing precipitation patterns due to global warming are severely impacting Kenya's economy and environment. As per the Kenya National Climate Change Action Plan 2018-2022, the average temperature in Kenya has increased by 1°C over the past few decades and is projected to increase by an additional 0.5-1.5°C by 2050. This warming climate has led to increased intensity and frequency of droughts and reduced agricultural yields across the country.

The impacts of climate change threaten Kenya's development goals as the economy is highly dependent on climate sensitive sectors like agriculture, tourism and forestry. As reported in the United Nations Environment Programme's 2021 Adaptation Gap Report, crop failure due to droughts cost Kenya about $2.2 billion each year which is equivalent to over 2% of the country's GDP. With devastation set to worsen in the coming decades, the government of Kenya is looking to reduce emissions and boost resilience through innovative policies and projects.

Carbon credits from emission reduction initiatives present an effective way to cut carbon footprint as well as generate additional income.

Market Driver – Increasing International Commitments

Kenya has seen significant growth in its carbon credit market over the past few years due to rising global commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As many developed nations pledge to become carbon neutral by 2050, there is growing demand for high-quality carbon offsets that support climate projects in Africa. Kenya is well-positioned to capitalize on this demand thanks to its high potential for renewable energy and forestation initiatives that remove carbon from the atmosphere.

Several major international commitments are fueling carbon credit projects across Kenya. The European Union's Green Deal aims to cut EU emissions 55% by 2030, driving European companies to purchase foreign carbon offsets. Similarly, China's pledge to become carbon neutral by 2060 opens up a huge compliance market for credits from countries like Kenya. As the costs of transitioning to greener economies rise in developed nations, the incentives to invest in high-impact projects abroad will only increase. Kenya has also prioritized low-carbon development initiatives through its Climate Change Action Plan, making the country an attractive partner in meeting global climate goals.

Market Challenge – Law Irregularities in Kenya

Kenya has great potential to develop a robust carbon credit market due to its vast natural wealth and commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, unclear and inconsistent laws regarding carbon rights and benefit-sharing are significantly hampering the growth of this important market. Currently, there is ambiguity around who legally owns the carbon stored in forests, grasslands, and other natural sinks. Since rural communities depend on these areas, they expect compensation for any carbon credits generated. But large corporations are also interested in investing in conservation projects to generate tradeable credits. Without clear laws establishing carbon rights, long-term deals between local communities and investors cannot materialize, discouraging much-needed private sector funding.

This legal uncertainty is already impacting local livelihoods and conservation efforts. In western Kenya, plans to conserve over 5000 hectares of forest were halted when conflicts arose between nearby communities and the project developer over who had rights over stored carbon. As a result, valuable carbon remained unmonitored and at risk of release into the atmosphere due to logging or land-use change.

Market Opportunity – Increasing Investment in Carbon Credit Market

Increasing investment in carbon credit market presents a huge opportunity for Kenya's market to expand in a sustainable manner. As one of the most vulnerable nations to climate change impacts like prolonged droughts and flooding, Kenya has demonstrated strong leadership in voluntarily committing to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions through sustainable development initiatives. Investing in large-scale forestry projects, efficient cookstoves programs and renewable energy sector can help the country meets its climate targets while benefiting local communities financially.

When investors support such carbon offsetting projects by buying verified carbon credits, it provides crucial capital for further expansion of these green programs. More funding means more people gaining access to clean cooking solutions and electricity from wind and solar. It also allows planting of more indigenous trees which helps carbon sequestration while making the environment more resilient. As per the UN Environment Programme, Kenya managed to mitigate over 1.5 million tons of carbon emissions between 2017-2020 through various offset projects funded by international carbon credit buyers. Some of these projects also improved livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers through income from sustainable agricultural practices.