The Earthshot Prize, a prestigious environmental initiative, recognised Bolt, M-KOPA, Roam, and Ampersand Energy for their outstanding contributions to clean air solutions in the Monthly Optimism Roundup for May 2024.
This recognition stems from their collaborative effort to introduce a fleet of 5,000 electric motorbikes in Kenya over the next three years.
Founded by Prince William, the Earthshot Prize is a global environmental initiative designed to identify and support breakthrough solutions that can help repair our planet by 2030. Each year, five winners are awarded a £1 million prize (approximately Ksh 166 million) to advance their work in one of five critical areas:
- Protect and restore nature.
- Clean our air.
- Revive Our Oceans
- Build a waste-free world.
- Fix Our Climate
So far, the Earthshot Prize has been three years in the making, attracting 45 finalists representing 25 countries and recognising 15 winners.
The latest cohort of winners, announced in 2023, includes Acción Andina, GRST, WildAid Marine Programme, S4S Technologies, and Boomitra. These companies are being acknowledged for their transformative contributions to environmental sustainability.
The Power of Partnership: Cleaner Air for Kenya
The project leverages the strengths of each company:
- Bolt: A leading ride-hailing platform, Bolt will integrate the electric motorbikes into their existing network.
- M-KOPA: A pioneer in providing affordable pay-as-you-go solar energy solutions, M-KOPA will offer financing options for electric motorbikes.
- Roam: A clean energy infrastructure company, Roam will establish charging stations across Kenya.
- Ampersand Energy: A manufacturer of electric motorcycles, Ampersand will supply the fleet of eco-friendly vehicles.
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As an added incentive, the partnership provides riders with a subsidy of up to 20% on the cost of the electric motorbikes. This initiative not only promotes cleaner transportation but also makes it more accessible for riders.
Replacing traditional petrol-powered motorbikes with electric alternatives holds significant potential for reducing air pollution. Estimates suggest that every 300 electric bikes on the road could prevent around 1,000 metric tonnes of tailpipe emissions annually.
This project represents a major step forward in curbing air pollution in Kenya and paving the way for a greener future.Their collaborative approach to clean air solutions serves as an inspiration for businesses and individuals alike to embrace innovation for a healthier planet.
These companies join other notable Kenyan companies that have received the award in the past. One notable success story comes from Sanergy, a 2021 finalist who has been making a significant impact.
Serving 150,000 residents daily and removing 50,000 metric tonnes of waste per year, Sanergy also addresses food insecurity by producing organic fertiliser and insect protein for animal feed. As a result, over 5000 farmers have been able to meet the needs of expanding populations and boost farming volumes by up to 30%.
Another Kenyan company, Mukuru Clean Stoves, has also been thriving since winning the Earthshot Prize in 2022. The company has expanded its operations into new countries, employed more women, and introduced innovative products.
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The prize money has played a crucial role in accelerating their growth, enabling them to triple the size of their team, partner with more local women, and launch a new malaria research project.
Mukuru’s environmental and social impact has been substantial, with their clean cookstoves helping to avoid 177,000 metric tonnes of new CO2 emissions and improving the lives of over 835,000 people by enhancing air quality and reducing costs.
Additionally, their partnership with the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, facilitated by the Earthshot Prize, has provided them with funding for an R&D project to develop malaria-fighting briquettes for their stoves, offering a promising solution with the potential to save even more lives.
The Earthshot Prize continues to demonstrate the power of collaboration and innovation in addressing the urgent environmental challenges we face.
With the support of over 400 official nominees worldwide, the Prize is committed to identifying and amplifying impactful solutions that will contribute to a healthier and more sustainable planet for future generations.
