Kenya launches My2050 decarbonisation tool for the general public

Kenya has released a new My2050 decarbonisation tool, which can be used by the general public to trial options for reducing climate change-inducing carbon emissions to meet long-term emission targets to 2050 and beyond.

The tool was developed as an extension to the UK Government-funded International 2050 Calculator programme, and delivered by implementation partner, Strathmore University, with technical support provided by Mott MacDonald, Imperial College London, Climact and Ricardo.

Designed to be accessible, engaging, and backed by credible data, My2050 Kenya will support Kenya’s citizens, including children, in exploring how they can make a meaningful impact on Kenya’s low carbon future. It builds on the Government of Kenya’s Carbon Emission Reduction Tool 2050 (KCERT 2050), an open source and evidence based online tool that allows more informed users to chart decarbonisation pathways for Kenya to become net zero by 2050.

The tool is based on the UK’s My2050 tool, which was designed to help the British public understand what net zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 might look like for the country, and the different ways it could be achieved. My2050 Kenya is adapted to reflect the Kenyan context, for example, including recognisable Kenyan and Nairobi landmarks like the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, minibuses (matatus) and giraffes from Nairobi National Park.

In My2050 Kenya, users are presented with a graphical view of an urban and rural area and are encouraged to explore how the various levers, such as travel demand and solar use, impact carbon reduction, with new assets being added or reduced accordingly. More detail can also be provided for each lever. Selections are unique to each user, and results and findings can be shared with peers.

Dr Betsy Muriithi–Ochieng’, Research Fellow, @iLab Africa of Strathmore stated, "The My2050 Kenya tool is a straightforward and interactive platform that allows users to explore practical ways to reduce carbon emissions. By providing credible data and tangible scenarios, we aim to make the complex issue of decarbonisation more accessible to everyone. It's not just an educational tool, but a way for every Kenyan citizen to see the potential impact of collective, informed actions on our path to a cleaner, sustainable future. We encourage all Kenyans to use the My2050 Kenya tool to understand and participate actively in our country's journey to net zero by 2050."

David Orr, Product Lead for Moata Carbon Portal at Mott MacDonald and the programme’s Country Manager for Kenya, remarked, “The launch of the My2050 Kenya tool is further evidence of Kenya’s commitment to advancing an accessible and engaging approach to combat climate change. The tool is backed by insights from across the country’s public, private, academia, and NGO spheres, and demonstrates that all citizens in Kenya and beyond can play a meaningful role to achieve net zero.”

My2050 Kenya is available at https://my2050kenya.strathmore.edu/