Kenya Green Building Society

Can Kenya Deliver Sustainable & Affordable Housing at Scale? Did You Know? 1. Kenya is in dire need of 250,000 new housing units every year, but only 50,000 are actually constructed. 2. A staggering 70% of construction materials are imported—could local solutions help make housing more affordable? 3. Green-certified homes can reduce energy costs by at least 20%—so why aren’t we building more of them? With 61% of urban residents living in informal settlements and a housing deficit exceeding 2 million, the need for affordable housing is critical. But it’s not just about making homes cheaper; they also need to be sustainable. Why should you go green? 1. Lower Utility Bills – Green homes consume at least 20% less energy and at least 20% less water, which helps ease financial burdens. 2. Healthier Living – Access to natural light and improved air quality enhances overall well-being. 3. Climate Resilience – Sustainable buildings have a longer lifespan, reducing maintenance costs. 4. Economic Growth – Green housing generates jobs in construction, energy, and local supply chains. On Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Workable Nairobi, Sanlam Towers, 4th Floor, the Kenya Green Building Society Affordable Housing Roundtable will gather policymakers, developers, architects, urban planners, and financiers to address a crucial question: How can we achieve housing that is both genuinely affordable and sustainable? Key Discussions: 1. Policy & Regulation – What policies can help scale green, affordable housing? Smart Construction & Materials – How can innovation reduce costs and carbon footprints? 2. Green Finance & Investment – What funding models can make sustainable housing a reality? 3. Supply & Delivery: Public & Private Reflections – How can we accelerate development? This roundtable presents an opportunity to reflect on Kenya’s housing supply—both public and private—and to drive solutions that make sustainability the norm, not the exception. Participation Fees: KES 7,540 for KGBS members KES 9,280 for non-members Secure Your Spot Now: https://shorturl.at/RStww For partnerships, sponsorships, or speaking opportunities, reach out to us Kenya Green Building Society Secretariat: 📧 secretariat@kgbs.co.ke 📞 +254 710 869 547

Have you read the Kenya Materials Alternative Building Materials and Technologies Handbook by the Kenya Green Building Society in collaboration with FSD Kenya yet? You should, and here's why: The built environment plays a critical role in shaping our future—both environmentally and socially. The Kenya Green Building Society has played an instrumental role in influencing and leading the sustainability agenda in the built environment in Kenya and the commitments by the government at a global stage. As Kenya advances and implements its commitments to sustainability in the built environment, alternative/low carbon building materials and technologies are crucial in the road to decarbonisation. This will affect, how we build, both in a public realm perspective when thinking of sustainable and affordable housing, but also from a supply chain perspective. We must rethink how we build. That’s why this game-changing resource is designed to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon, climate-resilient, and locally available materials. Why does this matter? (1) Traditional construction materials contribute significantly to carbon emissions—we need innovative alternatives to build a greener, more resilient Kenya. (2) ABMTs provide affordable, scalable, and sustainable solutions for housing and infrastructure. (3) The handbook serves as a comprehensive guide for developers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to integrate circular economy principles into the built environment. What’s inside? (1) A deep dive into locally sourced and sustainable materials, including compressed earth blocks, recycled aggregates, bamboo, mycelium-based materials, and geopolymer cement. (2) Case studies showcasing successful projects implementing ABMTs. (3) Policy recommendations to mainstream ABMT adoption in Kenya and beyond. The time to act is NOW! This handbook is more than a publication—it’s a call to action. The transition to low-carbon construction is not just a necessity but an opportunity to reshape our cities, create green jobs, and foster a more inclusive economy, and as Kenya Green Building Society, we are here to facilitate and support market transformation, and help you win. We invite policymakers, developers, architects, engineers, and innovators to join us in championing sustainable construction. Let’s build a Kenya that works for people and the planet! Get your copy here: https://lnkd.in/dDtsabKn World Green Building Council IFC - International Finance Corporation EDGE Buildings Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) Forest & Climate Leaders' Partnership Climate Smart Forest Economy Program (CSFEP) Kenya Property Developers Association Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) World Resources Institute C40 Cities Institute of Cement & Concrete (ICC) – Kenya Seeta Shah Azmeena Bhanji Roy M. Githaiga, M.Arch Nasra Nanda

Kenya Reaches 1 million sqm of EDGE Buildings Certified Green Buildings! This achievement is more than just a number—it represents a shift in Kenya’s construction and real estate sector toward a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and climate-resilient future. It sets a strong precedent for scaling up green buildings nationwide and pushing for net-zero developments. This is a significant milestone as it aligns with Kenya’s National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) and NDCs under global frameworks like the Paris Agreement. Congratulations to the Kenya Green Building Society, our members, and partners and all the sustainability champions who have made this possible, we wouldn't have done it without you 🙏 Together, we are facilitating and shaping a sustainable built environment! World Green Building Council EDGE Buildings Njambi Macharia Temilola Sonola Michelle M. Farrell Green Building Council Nigeria Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) Botswana Green Building Council

Thank you for the shout out EDGE Buildings team! Well in KGBS team Nasra Nanda, Azmeena Bhanji, Louis Kariuki, Wilma Odalo and the rest of our team. Well done to all the green building experts and our KGBS members who made this possible!👏👏👏👏👏👏

Do join in to listen to insights by our partners, CAHF | Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa and FSD Kenya in an insightful webinar this afternoon. Also part of this panel, is KGBS Youth Member, Michelle Muchiri who will be sharing her insights too!

Dream Big, Inspire Bigger I’m incredibly honored to be a co-author of Dream Big for Her, a powerful collection of stories and insights aimed at empowering the next generation of women to lead with courage, passion, and purpose. Through my journey in law, sustainability, and leadership, I’ve learned that purpose is not something you find—it’s something you build. Every challenge, risk, and bold step forward shapes the impact we leave behind. Being part of this book is more than just sharing my story; it’s about creating a roadmap for women and girls to break barriers, embrace their potential, and redefine what’s possible. A huge thank you to Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc (Sammy Ndolo, Clarice Wambua, Martha Mbugua and the rest of the team) for championing this incredible initiative. Your commitment to uplifting women in leadership and fostering a culture of mentorship and empowerment is truly inspiring. A special shout to Lydia Owuor, for being part of my journey in so many ways, and to Stella Mutai Paula Ochango and Joy Wachira for being the super women sharing their voices in this book too. Let’s continue to dream big, act boldly, and uplift each other along the way! #DreamBigForHer #WomenInLeadership #PurposeDriven #BreakingBarriers #Empowerment #Sustainability #GreenLeadership #InspiringTheFuture #CliffeDekkerHofmeyr #

Celebrating KGBS Member Bureau Veritas on Their Global Leadership in Green Building Certification! We are celebrating Bureau Veritas Group a valued KGBS Member, on their appointment by the IFC - International Finance Corporation as a Global Certification Provider for EDGE Buildings—a pivotal step in advancing green building certification worldwide! Whilst this development occured sometime ago, and coincided with the first-ever Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris, there is a reason we are celebrating this now. This milestone underscores Bureau Veritas' commitment to driving sustainability in the built environment. As a Global Certification Provider, Bureau Veritas will ensure strict adherence to EDGE certification standards. With its global expertise in Buildings & Infrastructure and a presence in 140 countries, Bureau Veritas will play a key role in scaling up resource-efficient and zero-carbon buildings, particularly in emerging economies. This milestone also aligns with Bureau Veritas' LEAP | 28 strategic plan, which focuses on: 📌 Expanding leadership in buildings and infrastructure 📌 Strengthening its sustainability footprint At KGBS, we are always proud to support and see our members leading the way in global sustainability efforts. Well done, BV! Stay tuned for our next announcement with BV !

TRANSFORMING NAIROBI : THE NAIROBI RIVER CORRIDOR DECLARED A SPECIAL PLANNING AREA (SPA) The proposed declaration of the Nairobi River Corridor as a SPA signals a major urban planning and environmental intervention for Nairobi. Here's what this proposed development means for the city: 1. River Regeneration, Environmental Conservation & Protection This declaration formally entrenches Government support to clean up and restore the river, addressing pollution and degradation. It also places a key focus on flood hazard mitigation. The plan includes a 60-meter buffer zone to protect the riparian corridor, limiting encroachment, and improving resilience to climate impacts. 2. Sustainable Urban Planning & Infrastructure The SPA will have a local development and land use plan which will guide the infrastructure and land redevelopment in the area, if done correctly, this could improve living conditions and limit settlements along riverbanks, by ensuring organised and sustainable growth, preventing haphazard construction. It could also unlock avenues for green and blue infrastructure that can include micro forests, which can serve as a useful anchor for biodiversity credits or carbon sinks, green spaces, and the promotion of sustainable water management. 3. Economic & Social Impact The SPA, if done as an integrated ecosystem project could attract investment in sustainable development, leveraging financing for nature, housing and infrastructure. It also presents an opportunity for a multi-sectoral approach to city transformation. 4. Gives the Nairobi City County more control in the management of the area, and strengthens planning framework to align with Kenya's Climate and Sustainability Commitments However, there are Challenges that need to be considered: 1. Implementation must strike a balance between the environmental conservation and human settlement needs. 2. Relocation of low income communities must be done in a humane and dignified manner. 3. Financing, governance and investment must be transparent and co-desiged with stakeholders to ensure long term success. As Nairobi redefines its urban future, this is an incredible opportunity, and as a partner in this journey, Kenya Green Building Society, is excited about this development, and see this as a significant policy area for engagement particularly in integrating green building solutions, and low carbon materials, socio-conscious and nature positive considerations into redesigning our cities.

From Vision to Reality: Enabling and Scaling Sustainable and Affordable Housing in Kenya! Housing is more than just shelter—it’s about security, dignity, and sustainable living. But as Kenya’s cities grow, we face a major challenge: How do we make housing both affordable and environment-friendly? Join us for the Kenya Green Building Society Sustainable Affordable Housing Roundtable on Thursday, 10th April 2025 at Workable Nairobi, 5th Floor, Sanlam Towers from 10:00 am. We’re bringing together policymakers, developers, engineers, architects, financiers, quantity surveyors, project managers, valuers, artisans, urban planners, sustainability consultants and legal experts to find real, actionable solutions for sustainable, low-carbon, and climate-resilient housing in Kenya. Why You Should Attend: 🏗 Smart Construction & Design – How can we lower costs while maximizing efficiency? 💰 Green Finance & Investment – What models make eco-friendly housing scalable? 📜 Policy & Regulation – What frameworks can drive green, affordable homes? 🤝 Collaboration – How can businesses, government, and communities work together? Whether you’re interested in panel sponsorship, speaking opportunities, strategic partnerships, or brand visibility, your expertise can help shape Kenya’s sustainable future. 📍 Venue: Workable Nairobi, 5th Floor, Sanlam Towers 🕗 Time: 8:00 AM onwards 💰 Participation Fees: – KES 7,540 (KGBS members) – KES 9,280 (Non-members) 🔗 Register Now: https://shorturl.at/RStww Interested in partnering or attending? Let’s talk! 📧 Email: secretariat@kgbs.co.ke 📞 Call/WhatsApp: +254 710 869 547 This isn’t just about buildings—it’s about people, communities, and the future we want to create. Let’s build that future together.

This International Women's Day, we celebrate the women shaping Kenya’s green future! ♻️✨ At KGBS, we champion inclusivity and sustainability in the built environment. To a greener, more equitable world. 🥂 #InspireInclusion #SustainableCities #IWD2025"