WWF-KENYA, SIB-KEPSA PARTNER TO SPARK DIALOGUE ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
By Ednah Kiarie
The Sustainable Inclusive Business (SIB-K); the
knowledge Centre at the Kenya Private Sector
Alliance (KEPSA) and the WWF Kenya, a leading
independent conservation organization,
partnered to host a private sector dialogue on
environmental sustainability.
The event that was held in the capital Nairobi
brought together various business leaders to
discuss the contribution of the private sector
towards the conservation of the environment,
and start to explore how to collectively tackle
the ecological crisis.
In her remarks during the opening of the event,
the Director, Sustainable Inclusive Business
Karin Boomsma noted that the partnership with
WWF Kenya is anchored on the premise that
the private sector has an important role to play
in driving a resilient and sustainable economy.
“We are part of nature. It’s our home among
other living species. For this reason, businesses
must improve their impact on the planet, not as
the nice thing to do, but as a responsibility to
positively impact the planet and people. The
future proof business DNA is green,” Ms.
Boomsma said.
“To scale sustainability initiatives, there is a
need for those organizations making efforts to
communicate their actions and enable key
decision-makers and business leaders to see
the considerable social and economic benefits
of positive climate action.
This partnership is part of our efforts to
facilitate the business community to tackle the
looming climate and ecological crisis and in
doing so help secure the future of business
itself,” added Ms. Boomsma.
In Kenya, several leading organizations have
already set-up the structures and frameworks
as they focus on transitioning to a more
sustainable society in the wake of climate
change.
Under the Paris Agreement, Kenya committed
itself to tackle climate change. Its Nationally
Determined Contribution (NDC), which builds on
the 2013 Kenya Climate Change Action Plan,
pledges to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions by 30% by 2030.
WWF Kenya Chief Executive Officer Mohamed
Awer noted that the event provides Kenyans
and especially the business community with
the opportunity to have a conversation about
the topics raised and the possible solutions.
“Efforts to engage the private sector in
adaptation to climate change are beginning and
we are happy to partner with Sustainable
Inclusive Business to accelerate this
discussion,” Mr. Awer highlighted.
The highlight of the event was the virtual
screening of the ‘Our Planet: Our Business’ film.
The documentary, which is an adaption of the
popular Netflix series
Our Planet, reveals how we could create a
future where people and nature thrive together.
The episode focuses attention on the urgent
need for collaboration between businesses and
scientists on behalf of our planet. The
screening of the film and discussions aim to
trigger a conversation and action by
organizations to incorporate environmental
sustainability as one of their strategic focus
areas.
Key speakers during the event included Karin
Boomsma, Director Sustainable Inclusive
Business, Isaac Awuondo, Board Chair WWF-
Kenya & Chairman NCBA Kenya; Emily Waita,
Coca-Cola Central, East & West Africa Public
Affairs & Government Relations Leader; Vimal
Shah, KEPSA Foundation Trustee & Chairman
BIDCO Africa; Arnolda Shiundu, Kenya
Breweries Head of Sustainability & Community
Engagement; and Julius “Juliani” Owino,
Kenyan HipHop Artist & Entrepreneur.
In his remarks, Isaac Awuondo challenged the
business leaders to take the lead on climate
mitigation and adaption initiatives: “I urge all
business leaders in Kenya to pump in more
investments in order to create a positive
change to our environment and treat nature
much more kindly,” Mr. Awuondo said.
Similar views were echoed by Vimal Shah the
Chairman of Bidco Africa, who underscored the
role of the private sector on climate mitigation
initiatives.
“We need to accept the reality that we are
responsible for the cause of damage as
humans and we also must take responsibility to
heal the planet by reducing our contribution to
the damage.
Both corporates and individuals must align with
nature and its needs for a sustainable and
healthy future,” Mr. Shah noted.
On her part, Arnolda Shiundu said that climate
change presents an existential threat for
humans and a looming crisis for the economy:
“For businesses to thrive, they must be
sustainable.
This is because our continued existence as the
human race is dependent on the planet’s
survival. Thus, we must go all in, leaving no one
behind, to inspire new ways of working that can
be adopted not only at industrial level but also
at community levels,” she said.
While Emily Waita emphasized that climate
challenge is now a development challenge and
involving the private sector is essential for
multiple reasons: “The private sector has a
clear and vested interest in environmental
sustainability. We are well-positioned to deliver
solutions for the world’s biggest challenges
while we protect the planet and unlock new
business opportunities.”
Julian called on the business community to
reimagine the people, planet, and profit nexus.
“I see the world as a home not just as a
resource. And I believe that for businesses to
become sustainable, they should not just see
customers but see them as people. Because a
business is as strong as its connection to its
people and surrounding,” the popular artist
noted.
Environmental degradation is on the increase
with the disposal of plastics not only affecting
the cities but also posing a risk to the soil and
marine life. The different speakers therefore,
unanimously underlined the need to act and
find synergies between sector actors to drive
the desired change.
Sustainable Inclusive Business Kenya is a
knowledge Center established under the KEPSA
Foundation through a fruitful partnership
between KEPSA Foundation and MVO
Nederland with the support of the Embassy of
the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya.
Sustainable Inclusive Business is driving and
catalyzing change through inspiration, initiative,
facilitation and connection. We bring
companies and their stakeholders together to
share knowledge and good practices and set
goals to create a sustainable and inclusive
economy and future proof businesses with
positive impact on People and Planet.
World Wide Fund for Nature Kenya (WWF-
Kenya) is a locally registered non-governmental
conservation organization; an affiliate of World
Wide Fund for Nature International (WWF).
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.