Prosperous Land, Prosperous People: Scaling finance for Nature-based Solutions in Kenya
Wednesday, 9 November 2022
The Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) released on November 9th , 2022, Prosperous Land, Prosperous People: Scaling finance for Nature-based Solutions in Kenya.
This analysis presents a case study focused on Kenya, highlighting the considerable climate change mitigation potential of Nature-based Solutions (NbS), internationally and at a national level.
It presents a possible investment pathway for public and private financiers to unlock the benefits of NbS in Kenya, which would require USD 1.2 billion per year by 2050.
The study finds that a wide range of investors are needed to fund the transition and suggests how Kenyan policymakers can create the right environment to overcome barriers to investment and attract private capital.
Recent evidence suggests that the implementation of 20 different land-based NbS globally can provide 30% of the mitigation needed to limit global warming to 1.5C
“NbS are no silver bullet, but they are a critical part of the transformation agenda for food and land use systems. Beyond mitigation, they present co-benefits for biodiversity, food security, resilience, livelihoods and health outcomes,” said Natasha Mawdsley, lead author of the report.
“If we don’t protect and restore nature, a 1.5°C- world will not be attainable. Countries must examine the opportunities that they each have to contribute to limiting climate impacts, including strategies for unlocking the benefits of NbS. This case study demonstrates how investment from the public sector can be kept to less than 1% of the country’s GDP by 2050, by creating an enabling environment for private sector investment into NbS,” said Mawdsley.
As the world watches COP27 with the hope to see critical progress on a number of pressing issues, this new report presents solutions, many of which are readily available and cost-effective. It paves the way for action by policymakers and financiers as renewed efforts are required.
Beyond Kenya, this analysis could be applied to other countries and to a global study. FOLU plans to publish a similar case study focused on Colombia in the coming months.
The analysis was presented on Nov. 9 during an event at the Food Systems Pavilion at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh.
- Full report (+ Methodology)
- Executive Summary
- What this means for corporates: a two-page summary
- Key Messages
Please reach out, should you wish to find out more or speak with one of the authors: Sophie.Mongalvy@wri.org and Klara.Nilsson@wri.org.
We will happily facilitate discussions virtually or in person at COP27, which a number of FOLU experts are attending.
