Columnists
We must be alert to preserve the environment by setting standards
Monday, March 21 2022
Summary
- Many developing countries continue to feel the devastating effects climatic changes.
- Some countries have adopted policies to reduce carbon emissions under the green industrial revolution concept.
- The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs), which is geared towards global issues, has adopted various standards to reduce carbon footprint and preserve air quality.
Many developing countries, including Kenya might not have paid much notice to COP26 that was held late last years in Glasgow.
The global summit, Net Zero, couldn’t have been held at a better moment, if not sooner. Many developing countries continue to feel the devastating effects of climate change.
This engagement was focused on securing a brighter world for our children, and future generations. A commitment that requires countries to take urgent actions to combat climate change.
Leaders voiced their concerns for a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable world with courage, collaboration, and ambition.
Under the green industrial revival concept, some countries have developed policies to reduce carbon emissions. The UK, for example, has pledged to stop the sale of new petrol or diesel vehicles by 2030.
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs), which is geared towards global issues, has adopted various standards to reduce carbon footprint and preserve air quality.
These include KS ISO 14064-1 & 2 that set the country’s standard of greenhouse gas emissions; KS ISO10155-1995 that guides stationary sources to regulate air quality; KS EAS 752:2010 that sets maximum levels of tolerance for emissions that are released into the atmosphere; KS EAS 158 which specifies acceptable lead levels for gasoline specifications.
Kebs has created standards KS ISO 22241 :2021. These standards are designed to reduce the emission of fossil fuels. These standards act as a catalyst to reduce Nitrogen Oxides. These are highly reactive and poisonous gases. The Bureau has also published regulations that regulate emissions levels in manufactured and imported vehicles. They must comply with Euro IV emission limits.
In order to make its processes more efficient and effective, the government has recently adopted ICT. The Bureau has provided an environment for innovation by allowing its citizens to do so. It continues to establish standards to regulate technological progress and has helped to protect the environment.
Kebs has produced KS 2880-1;2020 and KS 2779-1:2020. These standards set Minimum Energy Performance Standards for ICT equipment.
SDG 14: Life Below Water, which addresses conservation and sustainable usage of the oceans and marine resources, outlines how protecting the water quality is essential for both aquatic and human life.
KS ISO 8689-1 :2000 is one of the standards that protect water bodies. It outlines the biological classifications of rivers and is an important water source for the majority of the country’s population.
The KS 1966-1 guidelines for effluent discharge into the river set the limits. KS 2067-2 is a guideline that allows you to sample wastewater whose contaminant load comes from sugar industries.
These standards will long-term assist Kenya in building sustainable cities, and communities.
Kebs continues to create standards that address all 17 SDGs.