Sustainable energy for whom? Governing pro-poor, low-carbon pathways to development: lessons from solar PV in Kenya

Using a combination of insights from innovation studies, sociotechnical transitions theory and the STEPS pathways approach, this paper analyses the evolution of the Kenyan photovoltaics (PV) market. Considered by many to be an exemplar of private sector led development, the Kenyan PV market has witnessed the adoption of more than 300,000 solar home systems and over 100,000 solar portable lights. The notion of an entrepreneurially driven unsubsidised solar market has proved to be a powerful narrative amongst development actors who, paradoxically, have provided millions of dollars of funding to encourage the market’s development. We argue that this donor support has been critical to the success of the market, but not simply by helping to create an enabling environment in which entrepreneurs can flourish. Donor assistance has been critical in supporting a range of actors to build the elements of a PV innovation system by providing active protection for experimentation, network-building, and the construction of shared visions amongst actors throughout supply chains and amongst users.This analysis gives important clues for designing climate and development policies, with implications for the governance of energy access pathways that are inclusive of poor and marginalised groups in low income countries

Innovation histories workshop on the solar home system market in Kenya

This report presents proceedings of an innovation histories workshop on the Solar Home System (SHS) Market in Kenya. The workshop was held on 3 June 2013 at Silver Springs Hotel in Nairobi Kenya. Stakeholders in the SHS market convened to reflect, draw on, capture and share thoughts and experiences to develop a comprehensive national innovation history, illustrating actions of key actors in Kenya who have contributed to the success of the Kenyan SHS market. Stakeholders from the United Kingdom and Kenya comprised researchers, policymakers, private sector actors and the media. The one-day workshop saw the participants developing a personal innovation history timeline as well as contributing through participatory and interactive approaches to develop a national SHS innovation history timeline. Participants expressed satisfaction in the process that led to the development of the innovation history timeline and expressed interest to participate in any future research and workshop on the subject

The Political Economy of Low Carbon Energy in Kenya

There is growing international focus on how to support more integrated approaches to addressing climate change in ways that capture synergies and minimise the trade-offs between climate change mitigation, adaptation and development. These aims are embodied in the concept of climate compatible development (CCD). But what does this look like in practice in Kenya? With a National Action Plan on Climate Change, a Vision 2030 Strategy, a new constitution and a revised Energy Policy, Kenya is at a critical cross-roads with respect to defining its energy future for the years to come. The challenge is to enable a just transition to a lower carbon economy that delivers poverty reduction and climate resilience at the same time. But thinking about who sets the terms of transition and for whom, raises key political questions about the role of actors, interests and institutions in the energy sector. In other words, who has the power to change power? Drawing on 29 interviews with government officials, donors and businesses conducted during 2013, insights gleaned from an interactive workshop with practitioners on the themes of the research, as well as available academic and grey literature, this paper explores the role of politics, actors and institutions in enabling or frustrating the pursuit of climate compatible energy development in Kenya. This is a critical time for Kenya in deciding its energy future and whether and how it will aim to make it ‘climate compatible’. Issues of power and political economy will play a key role in determining technological and social outcomes: the winners and losers from different energy pathways and on whose terms and how the trade-offs between competing policy objectives are resolved. In particular political economy analysis helps to understand the potential for energy systems to meet climate, development and adaptation needs simultaneously

Mining and agriculture for development: exploring the nexus

Can agriculture and mining work together to improve food security? How can policy, investment and research provide for benefits? Agriculture and mining rely on similar inputs, outputs and externalities. In both Africa and Australia the relationship between the two industries can be symbioitic or competitive, depending on the situation. Mining makes profits from its mined products. Agriculture also needs mined products such as potash for soil improvement. Mining requires upgraded or new infrastructure, for transport and export, and may open up new areas, and these can benefit agriculture and other aspects of a country’s economic development. Mining uses less land and leads to less degradation of water and land than does agriculture, but both do good if done well. In terms of corporate social responsibility, mining companies have to answer to shareholders. Nevertheless, there is evidence that multiplier effects improve income and employment opportunities in the regions around mines. However, Africa is challenged by non-inclusive growth despite resource development. There are perceptions in society and the media that mining takes rather than giving back, although there is evidence of the reverse. It is recommended that the huge knowledge gaps around mining and its nexus with agriculture be tackled through research into the true impacts of mining on food production and poverty. There is an urgent need to build better awareness of the realities, and to engage with affected communities

Participatory Environmental Education and Willingness to Pay for River Basin Management: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria

This paper examines the role of participation as a tool for improving individuals’ perceptions and environmental values using a test-retest experiment conducted in south-eastern Nigeria. Two identical contingent valuation experiments were interspersed by participatory workshops designed to involve respondents in framing and forming the valuation scenario. Econometric analyses found that participatory education significantly developed individuals’ perceptions of pollution problems and increased the magnitude and precision of their WTP for a river basin management scheme. The extent of changes in perceptions declined with increasing levels of formal education, suggesting that less educated respondents are more likely to hold weakly formed preferences.

Motives behind willingness to pay for improving biodiversity in a water ecosystem: Economics, ethics and social psychology

This paper reports on empirical work extending the standard economic approach to valuation by including psychological and philosophical factors. More specifically a contingent valuation method survey was applied to biodiversity improvement while simultaneously assessing rights based beliefs, consequentialism and the theory of planned behaviour. The latter was assessed using measures of attitudes, subjective norms and perceptions of control over willingness to pay. The results show that standard socio-economic explanatory variables are far inferior to those of social psychology and philosophy, and that these factors offer a better understanding of the motives behind responses to contingent valuation. The implication is that alternative means of measuring an individual's pluralistic values should be taken into account in order to assess the validity and meaning of willingness to pay.Environmental values Ecosystem services Attitude-behaviour modelling Preference theory

Debunking free market myths: transforming pro-poor, sustainable energy access for climate compatible development

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Evaluation practices in water Project decision-making processes comparative analysis of Alqueva (Portugal) and Ebro River Transfer (Spain)

The new Water Framework Directive requires prior evaluation of all new river basin interventions. However, its failure to provide detailed guidance on standards of evaluation best practice, could potentially undermine and threaten the WFD objectives. This is particularly the case where interventions are characterised by high levels of complexity, uncertainty and conflict. This paper is set within the context of the ADVISOR project, the main aim of which is to develop a set of evaluation guidelines for authorities and agencies responsible for administering river basin interventions. The development of the guidelines is informed by the ex-post analysis of five case studies of river basin projects and policies from across Europe. This paper presents a comparative analysis of two of these case studies, both located on the Iberian Peninsula. From this analysis a number of barriers and opportunities towards achieving sound evaluation practice are identified