This archive report was first published on 20 October 2021.
Nairobi, Kenya, October 20, 2021 - Safaricom has made a significant stride in its commitment to environmental sustainability by receiving honorary recognition from the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) East African Climate Action Awards.
The East African Climate Action Awards shine a spotlight on individuals and organizations that have developed groundbreaking innovations and ideas to mitigate the effects of climate change.
According to Linda Ogallo, Climate Change Adaptation Expert at ICPAC, the judging committee carefully assessed dozens of submissions before selecting the final winners, who were recognized for their strategic approach towards net zero.
As part of its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, Safaricom has registered its carbon reduction goals with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), which independently assesses and approves companies' targets in line with strict guidelines.
“We are committed to becoming a net zero emitting company by 2050 through responsible operations, decreased environmental impact, and partnerships with stakeholders,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom. “This recognition shows that our efforts, including transitioning to renewable energy sources and leveraging technology to provide clean energy, are starting to pay off.”
As part of its climate action initiatives, Safaricom has partnered with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to launch digital billboards in Nairobi, providing real-time air quality information to assist in the issuance of health advisories and formulation of smart traffic controls.
The company also plans to plant 5 million trees through a carbon offset tree growing initiative, which it estimates will offset 26% of its emissions. Additionally, Safaricom has provided access to solar energy to over 800,000 households, impacting 3.3 million lives and resulting in over 1.7 tonnes of avoided emissions in partnership with M-Kopa Solar.
