(Posted 11th November 2026)
As COP31 is unfolding in Antalya, the focus is once again on turning climate commitments into practical action. Kenya offers an encouraging example of how the energy transition and tourism development can go hand in hand.
The country’s progress in renewable energy is particularly striking:
81.13% of Kenya’s electricity generation came from renewable sources in the financial year 2025/26.
Geothermal energy alone accounted for 40.91% of electricity generation, followed by hydropower (22.65%) and wind (12.31%).
This provides an important foundation for a tourism industry looking to reduce its environmental footprint:
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, Kenya’s Travel & Tourism sector sources 19.9% of its energy from low-carbon sources, compared with a global average of 5.9% and an African average of 2.9%.
At the same time, tourism contributed US$12.7 billion to Kenya’s economy in 2025, representing 9.3% of GDP, and supported 1.8 million jobs.
Kenya demonstrates why the green energy transition matters beyond the power sector. Renewable energy can help create the conditions for more climate-conscious tourism operations, while tourism itself contributes to economic opportunity and livelihoods.
Sources: EPRA, Energy & Petroleum Statistics Report 2026; WTTC, Environmental & Social Research (2024 data) and Kenya Economic Impact Research 2026; UNFCCC, COP31.
