To achieve sustainable development goal-seven (SDG-7) on affordable and clean energy, SMEs need to understand the importance of fully tracking their carbon footprint. Unfortunately, according to climate links, a global knowledge portal for climate and development practitioners, the agricultural sector in Kenya produces up to 62.8% of the total emissions. This worrying trend makes the SDG an elusive goal to achieve. However, this will remain a dream if nothing is done, and climate change and its impact will continue to wreak havoc worldwide.
As part of climate action, SMEs need to be enlightened on tracking their carbon footprint. KCIC Consulting strives to make a difference in SMEs by providing sustainable solutions that accelerate sustainable development. Through its mentorship programme, KCL sensitizes SMEs on ways to curb and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and focus on affordable clean energy.
Malian Agribusiness is a beneficiary of this mentorship program. The enterprise is already shifting to the clean energy direction. The SME, located in Mbeere south in Embu County, does value the addition of sweet potato. Its products include sweet potato crisps, sweet potato flour and wheat products like cookies. Although Malian practices sweet potato farming, the enterprise hires other farmers to increase its production.
Linda Kamau, the company’s CEO, talks of how the mentorship she received equipped her with knowledge on how to reduce her company’s carbon footprint.
“Previously, we used diesel-powered engines in our manufacturing process. The training was an eye-opener. Diesel engines are indeed a significant threat to the environment.
Due to the mentorship, we are focused on going green entirely. First, we replaced the diesel-powered engines. We are currently using solar energy. Second, we are looking into solar irrigation. Third, I am now interested in measuring the amount of carbon my company is emitting,” said Linda.
As Malian Agribusiness takes the initiative of transitioning from diesel-powered engines to solar irrigation, more SMEs need to follow suit if we are to achieve the affordable and clean energy SDG.
Focusing on clean and affordable energy sources is a step forward to achieving sustainability. Companies can adopt biogas, geothermal, hydropower, wind and solar energies. These methods accelerate the mitigation and adaptation of climate change and help SMEs increase their revenue collection and maximize profits. They also demand less when it comes to maintenance, which lowers the production cost of the manufactured products.
KCL is ready to help any company that seeks to adopt clean energy by providing the necessary tools and resources.
