Socioecological Transformation (SET)

FES Kenya supports its partners by facilitating progressive discourses on a socially just economic development which emphasize social and environmental sustainability. Using the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as a reference point, FES Kenya has put a focus on supporting its partners in strengthening distributional justice and inclusive growth as well as addressing the negative effects of climate change and the challenge of long-term energy security, all of which are important components of a modern industrial and economic policy for Kenya. Discussions on progressive approaches to Kenya’s economic transformation are more important than ever as the world grapples with the effects of multiple and interconnected crisis from increasing economic inequality to the impact of climate change that are also affecting Kenya. With ongoing processes of digitalisation and urban transformation penetrating all walks of life, constructive debates on how to change strategies towards an ecologically sustainable economy are necessary.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement emphasize that greenhouse gas neutrality must be reached by the middle of this century in order to put a limit to damaging global warming (SDG 13). For this goal to be achieved, a global energy transformation away from fossil, emission-intensive and towards sustainable, renewable energy sources must occur. This structural change, finally, must be socially inclusive and just and thereby in line with SDG 8 (decent work) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities). FES Kenya supports its partners working for such a socio-ecological transformation and just transition. We support our partners from political parties, trade unions, civil society and academia who argue that justice and solidarity must be key principles shaping Kenya’s economic, industrial and energy policy. FES Kenya furthermore wants to ensure that voices from Kenya are heard and taken into account regarding global debates on sustainable economic systems, the formation of global energy transformations, climate justice and a fair development of international climate policy.