This archive report was first published on 17 December 2019.
As the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, warned, humanity faces an existential threat due to climate change. Rising temperatures, sea levels, and extreme weather events are devastating communities worldwide, including Kenya, where floods and landslides have caused loss of life and destruction of infrastructure.
On December 11, 2019, the European Commission presented its roadmap for the European Green Deal, a comprehensive plan to achieve a healthy planet for a healthy population. The goal is to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, slowing down global warming and mitigating its effects.
The European Green Deal is a new growth strategy that will cut emissions while creating jobs and improving the quality of life. It will be the green thread running through all policies, from transport to taxation, food, farming, and industry to infrastructure. The plan includes investing in clean energy, extending emissions trading, boosting the circular economy, and protecting biodiversity.
The European Union has already supported Kenya in its efforts to transition to renewable energy. The Turkana Wind Power Station, for example, generates 17% of Kenya's electricity needs during the day and 30% at night, creating jobs and reducing carbon emissions. The European Investment Bank has also provided a credit line for SMEs on climate action, unlocking business opportunities and creating jobs for local youth.
The European Green Deal is not just a necessity, but a driver of new economic opportunities. European firms going green will enhance their ambition and share experiences with their counterparts in partner countries like Kenya. The deal will promote collective learning and action through the adoption of circular economy measures and initiatives to support the transition.
Easy access to financing is crucial for businesses and change makers, and the European Union will deliver a Sustainable Europe Investment Plan to support €1 trillion of investment over the next decade. The plan will work with the European Investment Bank and other financial institutions to de-risk investments.
Next year, the EU will propose the first-ever European Climate Law to provide clear rules for investors, innovators, and entrepreneurs to plan their long-term investments. The law will also establish a Just Transition Fund to protect and accompany those who risk being hit harder by the transition. The fund will mobilise €100 billion in investment within seven years, leaving no one behind.
The European Green Deal is a global call to action, and the European Union looks forward to working with Kenya to make a true difference. The deal is a response to the call of people around the globe and a contribution to a better world.
