Sustainable Development

By 2025, more than 12 billion tonnes of plastic had been produced globally – and plastic pollution is not gender neutral. Our publication Combatting Global Plastic Pollution presents feminist perspectives for a gender-just approach to the plastic crisis. 

This context paper captures diverse perspectives from a consultation held in Dar es Salaam in December 2023. The paper outlines Tanzania's current energy mix and the energy choices facing its society. It also addresses energy investments aimed at reducing energy poverty and improving the well-being of Tanzanian citizens. Additionally, the paper discusses the consequences of today's energy choices and outlines a research agenda, highlighting key thematic areas and energy topics that require thorough investigation for the Sustainable Energy Futures Tanzania Report.

Chemicals in products have continued to expose humans and the environment to their negative impacts. Evidence from analysis of recycled plastic products sampled from markets in Kenya and other parts of the world has revealed high levels of POPs in recycled products including children’s toys. This is exacerbated by weaknesses in the legal frameworks, the limited capacity of countries to screen imports for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and lack of transparency and traceability mechanisms for chemicals in products. To reduce exposure to these chemicals in Kenya, there is need to regulate the use of plastic products treated with chemicals and set stringent limits for POPs in products and wastes. Furthermore, there is need to strengthen the capacity to manage chemicals in products including capacity for screen of imports. Lastly, the government should take lead in pushing for adequate measures to eliminate toxics in plastics in the ongoing plastic treaty negotiations to support non- toxic circular economy. This policy brief is intended for policy and decision makers in the national and county governments, particularly in the ministries of health, environment, labor and trade, as well as regulatory agencies such as the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards.

Large-scale renewable energy projects are being developed in the drylands of Africa, Asia and Latina America without adequate consultation with pastoralists that have been using the land for grazing their livestock since time memorial. This report examines evidence from existing large-scale projects. It argues that an inclusive participatory design of such projects is necessary to safeguard human rights and ensure mutual benefit for pastoralist communities and society at large.

This publication explores the details of Kenya's contemporary energy challenges, using statistical graphs, diagrams and photographs as illustrations.

Heinrich Böll Stiftung Nairobi Office in collaboration with the deCOALonize campaign is pleased to finally release the Kenya Coal Report 2021. The report provides information for policymakers, civil societies, community members, and others interested in Coal Power exploration and production in Kenya.