Nairobi joins global cities call for new shift to renewable energy

Nairobi has joined other cities in the world in calling for an accelerating shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

 The city leaders and national governments made the call when they gathered at the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels held between April 24 and 29 and co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands.

 They had one message: transitioning away from fossil fuels is the most effective way to guarantee energy security.

 Current global volatility has proven that fossil fuel dependence is a direct threat to household budgets, national financial stability and global insecurity. By moving away from the price shocks and supply disruptions inherent in fossil fuel dependence, we can deliver what communities actually need: energy that is affordable, reliable and resilient against global crises.

 The conference stood as one of the most promising outcomes of COP30, signalling a concrete shift from global pledges to local implementation. Early in April, over 25 cities from around the world joined the governments of Colombia and the Netherlands in a virtual dialogue co-convened by C40 and ICLEI, ensuring the conference reflects a truly global subnational perspective and showcases the transition in action at the local level.

 As energy prices continue to fluctuate with global fossil fuel markets, cities are showing that renewable energy offers a more stable and cost-effective alternative.

 Every spike in oil and gas prices, like it is now happening due to the Middle East war, pitting Iran against the US and Israel, is felt immediately by households, businesses, and public budgets, highlighting the risks of continued dependence on volatile global markets.

 Renewable electricity is now significantly cheaper than traditional fossil fuel-dependent sources, with new solar and wind power costing at least 50 per cent less than new fossil fuel generation.

 At the same time, 92 per cent of countries have renewable energy potential exceeding ten times their current energy demand, highlighting the scale of the opportunity ahead.

 Cities are central to this transition. Urban centres account for 75 per cent of global energy-related emissions, making local action critical to global progress.

 They are also where the impacts of fossil fuel dependency are most visible, from rising living costs to worsening air pollution and climate-related disruptions. Across C40 cities, per capita emissions have already fallen below pre-pandemic levels, marking four consecutive years of decline and demonstrating that sustained progress is possible.

 Local governments are already delivering solutions at scale. From London’s world’s largest clean air zone to Melbourne’s collective renewable energy purchasing, which now supplies 100 per cent of municipal operations, cities are accelerating the transition while reducing costs. In Curitiba, Brazil, public procurement for solar energy is cutting energy bills by 30 per cent in public buildings while creating good, green jobs.

 Johannesburg’s $140 million (Sh18.1 billion) green bond has funded renewable energy and efficiency projects, showing how strong investor demand can accelerate city-led climate action.

 Warsaw is supporting low-income households to transition directly to clean heating systems, helping to reduce energy poverty while cutting air pollution where it’s needed the most.

 Reducing traffic

 And in Colombia, Bogotá created the first designated low-emission zone focused on reducing traffic and industrial pollution in one of the city’s most vulnerable and heavily polluted neighbourhoods to improve air quality and public health, benefiting almost 40,000 people. Crucially, cities are recognising that a green economy is only as strong as its workforce.

 “Colombia has been clear: the transition away from fossil fuels is not only necessary; it is an opportunity to build a more just and resilient future. But this transformation cannot be achieved by national governments alone. Cities and regions are essential to this effort,” said Colombian Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development Irene Torres.

 Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said the city is investing in cleaner public transport. “In Nairobi, we are investing in cleaner public transport and expanding access to reliable energy to support a growing city. This transition is creating jobs, improving mobility, and delivering more affordable solutions for our communities. Moving towards more sustainable energy sources is about building a city today that works better for future generations,” declared Sakaja.

 To ensure this transition promotes inclusive growth, local leaders are proactively addressing the skills gap by reorienting the workforce through targeted training and education.

 Green transitions are already facing significant labour shortages, especially in cities and in key green urban sectors like transport, construction, and waste, and unless workforce development efforts are scaled up, these gaps are expected to increase.

 The C40 analysis across 25 cities – including in Colombia and Brazil – shows that up to six million additional workers might be needed by 2040.

 By partnering with labour unions and industry leaders, cities are creating pathways for workers in sunsetting industries to transition into high-growth sectors like solar installation, electric vehicle (EV) maintenance, and green construction.

These actions are part of a broader, shared commitment by C40 mayors: to halve fossil fuel use in cities by 2030.

 This goal is not only achievable, but it is already underway and represents a critical contribution to the global target of tripling renewable energy capacity by the end of the decade, set by nearly 200 countries at COP28.

 The benefits are now unquestionable. The transition could prevent more than 776,000 premature deaths by 2050 and avoid trillions in health-related economic losses.

 At the same time, local climate action is already creating jobs and driving economic growth, with over 21 million green jobs already present across C40 cities, while four out of 10 jobs are expected to be green by 2040, especially in sectors like transport, construction and waste.

 However, the pace and scale of change depend on stronger collaboration.

 National governments must play a critical role by integrating city-led action into national climate and energy plans, increasing investment in urban clean energy solutions and expanding access to municipal funding, as well as enabling energy decentralisation and direct power purchase agreements.

 In particular, expanding access to finance, supporting municipal funding mechanisms such as Johannesburg’s green bonds, and enabling cities to enter renewable energy agreements can unlock large-scale implementation.

 Governments must also accelerate the transformation of energy systems by modernising grids, supporting electrification, and ensuring that clean energy is the most accessible and affordable option for households.

 A just and inclusive transition must remain at the centre of this effort. By investing in communities, supporting workers, and ensuring access to affordable clean energy to reduce energy poverty, governments at all levels can ensure that the benefits of this transition are widely shared.

 Cities are ready. With the right support, they can accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and deliver a future defined by affordable, cleaner, and more reliable energy, healthier communities, and resilient economies.