Kenya scores high marks in matters green

Kenya is ranked among six countries that have improved in terms of low carbon emissions in the first quarter of this year according to a report.

The country together with Rwanda, India, Mexico, Indonesia and Philippines have the potential for lower carbon emissions despite the uncertainty surrounding international climate change negotiations.

United Nations Environment Programme spokesperson Nick Nuttall said Kenya’s Green Energy Foundation supports climate competitiveness by promoting reforestation, use of biofuels and solar cookers among other green technologies to reduce carbon emissions.

National progress

The 2010 Climate Competitiveness Index (CCI) produced by an independent non-profit institute, AccountAbility in partnership with Unep, tracks national progress in creating green jobs and economic growth.

It investigates “Climate Accountability” to determine if a country’s strategy is clear, ambitious and supported by stakeholders.

It studied 95 countries that produce 96 per cent of carbon emissions.

AccountAbility’s managing director Alex MacGillivray said CCI shows countries that they can develop political leadership, stronger institutions and engage with stakeholders to deliver climate friendly products.

Essential guide

“The Climate Competitiveness Index is the essential guide to understanding opportunities and accountability in the multi-trillion dollar low carbon economy of the new decade,” he said.

Brazil, South Africa, India and China are progressing towards climate competitiveness.

Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Japan and France show most consistent progress combining accountability and performance, the report says.