Action taken in Kenya is beginning to shape ambition well beyond its borders. Through its leadership under the Buildings Breakthrough Agenda, Kenya’s work to establish an evidence base for building decarbonization is influencing other countries.
Turning data into policy direction
GBPN worked closely with the government to develop Kenya’s first baseline assessment for buildings and construction. The analysis brought together emissions data from different building typologies, construction materials, and energy use; areas that had previously been considered separately. For the government, this was the first time emissions from buildings could be viewed as a single system.
This shift mattered in practice. Instead of broad discussions about ambition, it’s clear where emissions are concentrated and which parts of the sector offer the greatest potential for change. The baseline is a shared reference point for decision-making, helping move conversations from general intent to concrete options for action.
From one country’s roadmap to continental momentum
The validated baseline underpins the development of Kenya’s National Buildings and Construction Decarbonization Roadmap, expected to launch in early 2026, and supports the integration of buildings into Kenya’s Nationally Determined Contribution. The analysis shows that emissions from the sector could decline from 13 MtCO₂ to just over 4 MtCO₂ by 2050, equivalent to a 69 percent reduction, if targeted measures such as improved building energy performance, cleaner construction practices, and greater use of renewable energy are implemented.
Kenya’s progress has not gone unnoticed. Drawing on the collaborative model of the Kenya work, GBPN convened a pivotal roundtable in South Africa, “The Power of Networks,” bringing together South Africa’s key stakeholders; SANEDI, The City of Cape Town, University of Capetown, Solid Green Consulting, The Green Building Council of South Africa, and other key voices, with the shared goal of building on existing momentum to accelerate South Africa’s own decarbonization pathway.
South Africa has now requested GBPN support in developing their building baseline assessment.
South Africa’s built environment sits at a crossroads of acute challenge and tremendous opportunity. As the 15th top global emitter, the country’s transition is crucial for both continental and global climate goals. Kenya’s National Roadmap was presented as a concrete showcase, with South Africa partners examining GBPN’s approach to institutional coordination, stakeholder engagement and scenario modeling. The discussion moved to actionable next steps, with stakeholders expressing the need for a National baseline for the buildings sector to inform future policy and ambitions.
This momentum led to the decision to host a pivotal regional knowledge exchange webinar with Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya: Operationalizing Buildings Sector Actions in Africas NDC’s. This webinar achieved the network expansion and peer learning goals of GBPN, with each country contributing to a trilateral dialogue. Kenya presented its progress with the National Roadmap, South Africa shared its experience with Energy Performance certificates, and Nigeria detailed its extensive stakeholder consultation on building codes.
Turning national breakthroughs into global influence
Kenya’s roadmap development process has driven momentum beyond the continent. South Africa’s responsiveness and Nigeria’s engagement have underscored the power of networks and learning through the Buildings Breakthrough Agenda.
Now, Indonesia has expressed interest and has been invited to join the Buildings Breakthrough by Kenya. By grounding collaboration in shared evidence and a vision for resilient, healthy buildings for all, GBPN is helping turn national breakthroughs into global influence and opportunities to drive change in the carbon-intensive buildings sector.