Understanding The Green Leaf Foundation Objectives
Environmental Conservation and Awareness Creation
The major development goal anticipated by Vision 2030 is having a better quality of life for present and future generations through sustainable management of environment and natural resources and equitable share of these resources. Emerging challenges such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, desertification, inadequate policies, lack of awareness among the citizens and Non State Actors and land degradation require different kinds of interventions.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Biomass energy contributes over 80% of Kenya’s national energy needs. This scenario is expected to continue into the foreseeable future. An analysis of supply and demand of wood fuel shows that the country is currently unable to meet its wood fuel requirements. By the year 2020, annual wood fuel demand will be about 53 million tonnes while the supply would only be about 20 million tonnes, occasioning an annual deficit of 33 million tonnes(Citations needed).The Green Leaf Foundation in this respect will promote the adoption and use of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies.
Sustainable Agriculture
Agriculture is the backbone of Kenya’s economy. It contributes approximately 25% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and employs 75% of the national labour force. Approximately 80% of the Kenyan population lives in rural areas and makes a living directly or indirectly from agriculture(Citations needed).The Green Leaf Foundation will promote the adoption of Agricultural Best Practices through introduction of modern technology to the farmers and undertaking relevant research activities to enhance production. The Green Leaf Foundation will promote and develop agroforestry technologies, promote inter-cropping on farms for improved farm productivity, and diversification of high value crops, promote, capacity built and sensitize the communities on value addition.
Governance and Policy Advocacy
With the dispensation of the new constitution, the devolution sets in a new system of governance which disperse power and development roles to the citizens. The constitution of Kenya 2010 and the County Governments Act of 2012 provides for the need to involve all the stakeholders in the planning and execution of development processes at the counties and at the national level. The Green Leaf Foundation in this regards seeks to enhance the understanding and participation of citizens and Non-Stated Actors in Governance Processes. This will be done through policy advocacy and civic education towards enabling understanding of the constitutional provision and other statutory law’s provisions. Several laws are devolved and this require the county governments to review, develop and customize certain laws at the county level. The Green Leaf Foundation shall constantly and adequately engage the counties and help them develop the relevant laws that would govern counties operations in relevant sectors.
Human Rights and Democracy
Democracy is one of the universal core values and principles of the United Nations as well as The Green Leaf Foundation. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the principle of equality and equity are essential elements of democracy. The Green Leaf Foundation will use this basis to champion democracy and enhance knowledge and awareness among the citizens on their rights in the democratic space. Achieving sustainability and development in larger extent depends on the level of democracy and ability of the citizen’s voice to be heard and acknowledged. The Green Leaf Foundation will stand for justice and free democratic space for the oppressed and less privileged. The organization will roll out defence for democracy across all sectors of relevance to create a free society.
