NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

The global transition to net zero could not be more urgent. UN head António Guterres articulated this in dramatic terms at the COP27 climate talks in Egypt last month, telling world leaders that the planet is “on a highway to climate hell.”

To mitigate the situation, the green energy transition has been gathering pace around the world. Across the continent of Africa, there has been a rapid growth of investment in renewable energy projects. But the crucial issue of human rights is being left off the agenda, and this is threatening the success of the transition.

The issue is particularly relevant for Kenya. The country already generates more than 70% of its power from renewable energy sources, and has recently received a commitment from the UK to support further expansion of renewables.

Photo courtesy of Usukhbayar Gankhuyag.