Driving Sustainability in Kenyan Industries

Over the last 18 years, KAM, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, has made tremendous efforts to promote energy efficiency in manufacturing. We provide technical services for driving green growth and climate change initiatives to suit the needs of commercial, institutional, and industrial consumers. The main aim is to enhance cost efficiency, competitiveness and profitability of industry while promoting a clean and healthy environment. 

Since the establishment of CEEC by KAM and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, the Centre has conducted over 1,800 energy efficiency audits that have resulted in saving over 2,000 GWH of energy or electricity. This is equivalent to the amount of energy that can be produced by a 272-megawatt power plant running continuously for a year. It is a significant amount of energy that can power many homes and businesses for a lengthy period. While this is important, it is not sufficient. As the world looks for pathways to net zero, KAM has pivoted its initiatives to include green growth, circular economy, and climate change. 

Through the Centre for Green Growth and Climate Change (CGGCC), we have extended KAM’s mandate to water conservation, renewables, captive power, waste management through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and circular economy. KAM has played a leading role in establishing and incubating Producer Responsible Organisations (PRO) such as Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organization (KEPRO) and Packaging Producer Responsibility Organisation Limited (PAKPRO). Furthermore, KAM in collaboration with the Agrochemical Association of Kenya (aak-GROW) is championing the establishment of the Hazardous Waste Producer Responsibility Organization of Kenya (HAPROK). Further, in partnership with the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA), we are setting up the Electronic Waste Producer Responsibility Organisation of Kenya (EPROK).  

However, despite industries gradual shift towards green manufacturing practices, some firms still face challenges in promoting circularity and sustainability in their operations. Hindrances such as inadequate green financing, poor collaboration between circular economy and sustainability teams and financial institutions, lack of metrics to account for levels of sustainability and lack of comprehensive integrative strategies to harmonize greening processes have slowed down the adoption of green manufacturing practices. KAM has ramped up efforts to address some of these challenges. Through the introduction and promotion of technology and financial linkages as a service, we hope to solve most of the existing issues.