Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko has today called on corporates to prioritize nature since ‘you cannot make profit at the expense of nature’.
“For every dollar you invest in nature positive enterprise, you get 15 to 30% profit, it is not only the right thing to do but it makes business sense”, CS Tobiko said.
Speaking at a Nairobi Hotel during Corporates in Climate Action breakfast meeting, CS Tobiko said If you think environment is inferior than economy try counting your money while holding your breath adding that there is no way you can prosper at the expense of the planet.
The CS said the planet does not only belong to us but the future generations that are yet to be born who will bare the brunt of the devastating consequences of the three planetary crises.
The CS decried the destruction of forests citing statistics which shows that every minute the world loses 27 soccer fields equivalent of forests.
The CS thanked corporates for their contributions to the two billion trees and called on them to avoid green washing and tokenism saying that it shouldn’t be business as usual.
CS Tobiko emphasized that climate change is now a crisis citing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who rightly put it “Code Red for Humanity” and IPCC report which says “our house is on fire”.
The CS called for concerted efforts to tackle climate change, adding that government alone cannot deliver, calling on developed countries, corporates to join hands “no one is immuned from it’s dire consequences”.
“From the heatwaves and extreme temperatures in Japan and India, forest fires in Australia, melting glaciers in the Alps, mega droughts in USA, Europe and Africa are realities of climate change”.
CS Tobiko stated that although Africa and Kenya contributes less than 5% and 0.1% of greenhouse gases respectively it affects 5% of the GDP saying due to its interconnectedness with pollution and waste, biodiversity loss and nature it should be handled holistically.
On COP 27 CS Tobiko reiterated the importance of the African voice and role of private sector in the process of coming up with the country position paper. The CS added that “The country position should be all-inclusive not just government. Provide us with your best for the good of society”.
The meeting which was addressed by Dr Edward Mungai of KCIC, Joe Munene of Standard Group, NETFUND CEO Samson Toniok, Olofunso Somorin from Africa Development Bank, Karen Basiye from Safaricom among others. #JourneyToCop27 #ClimateAction.
