Samsung launches new initiative to combat harmful carbon emissions

By KJ Odongo

In Summary:

• The electronics manufacturer has subsided 10,000 ethanol stoves which will be sold to households across Mombasa County
• It estimated that 80% of Kenyan living in urban areas uses charcoal for cooking thereby creating huge demand for the commodity
• The Kenyan government, however, has taken a stand by setting itself the goal of planting a total of 20 million trees by 2024
• The Ethanol Stove Project is aligned to the United Nations’Sustainable Development Goals, and in particular Goal 7, which is to create affordable and clean energy by 2030.

Samsung Electronics has officially kicked off its Ethanol Stove Project, through which it aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Kenya by 500,000 tonnes over the next five to seven years.

The electronics manufacturer has subsided 10,000 ethanol stoves which will be sold to households across Mombasa County. As a result of subside, the eco-friendly stoves, called Safi Cookers, will be sold at Ksh1995 down from Ksh 4,000 per stove.

As these stoves use ethanol instead of charcoal, households will not only benefit from a cleaner environment with less smoke, but will also reduce their cooking fuel costs and save time.

The project which promotes clean, renewable energy aims to reduce the demand for charcoal countrywide starting the Coast region.

The Ethanol Stove Project is aligned to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and in particular Goal 7, which is to create affordable and clean energy by 2030.

“Creating a stronger, healthier planet for future generations has always been an important focus for Samsung,” says Patricia King’ori, the Head of Corporate Marketing at Samsung Electronic East Africa. “Through this project, we hope to make a significant impact not only on the quantity of carbon dioxide emissions produced, but also the concerning rate of deforestation.” She added during the launch of the project.

It estimated that 80% of Kenyan living in urban areas uses charcoal for cooking thereby creating huge demand for the commodity. In 2015 it was estimated that Kenya was losing a shocking 5.6 million trees daily. And the effects of deforestation on the African country have been significant, leading to reduced rainfall and increased soil erosion, in turn causing food scarcities and other increasing difficulties for people living in the area.

Ms Kingori said carbon emissions is a crisis affecting the whole of Africa with the Green Africa Foundation revealing that the rate of annual deforestation in Africa exceeds the global annual average of 0.8%.

The Kenyan government, however, has taken a stand by setting itself the goal of planting a total of 20 million trees by 2024. It plans to increase forest cover and restore degraded land, and in so doing make a valuable contribution towards the war against climate change.

“Additionally Samsung last year, it launched a project to plant over 20,000 trees in Nairobi’s Karura forest to boost Nairobi forest cover. We believe our green energy initiative including Ethanol Stove Project will play a significant in improving the country’s green energy for future generations,” Patricia added.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions.