Sustainable Asset Valuation of the Benefits of Nature-Based Infrastructure in Kenya

This report by the Nature-Based Infrastructure Global Resource Centre evaluates the economic and environmental benefits of nature-based infrastructure (NBI) within the Integrated Natural Resources Management Programme (INReMP) in Kenya, focusing on water scarcity and sustainable agriculture.

• Kenya's 'water towers'—comprising Mount Kenya, the Aberdare range, the Mau Complex, the Cherangani Hills, and Mount Elgon—cover less than 2% of the country's land area but provide nearly 75% of its water. These ecosystems are currently facing severe degradation due to deforestation, overgrazing, informal settlements, and conversion to agricultural land.
• The Integrated Natural Resources Management Programme (INReMP), supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Kenyan State Department for Crop Development, targets 100,000 households (approximately 600,000 people) across 100,000 hectares. The program promotes climate-smart agriculture, clean energy, and the protection of water storage and springs.
• An assessment of NBI interventions—including 20,000 ha of reforestation, 14,900 ha of wetland restoration, 13,900 ha of rangeland rehabilitation, and 13,500 ha of agroforestry—indicates a return of between USD 1.71 and 1.91 for every USD 1 invested. The highest returns are derived from agroforestry (USD 167–168.1 million in fruit and timber revenue over 25 years) and the mitigation of drought effects (avoided costs of USD 67.3–105.4 million).
• Sustainable tourism in Geopark Teskei provides higher long-term returns compared to conventional mass tourism.

APA

Contor,, H. (2024). Sustainable Asset Valuation of the Benefits of Nature-Based Infrastructure in Kenya. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/nature-based-infrastructure-kenya

Chicago

Contor,, Henri. Sustainable Asset Valuation of the Benefits of Nature-Based Infrastructure in Kenya. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2024. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/nature-based-infrastructure-kenya.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Contor, |first1=Henri |title=Sustainable Asset Valuation of the Benefits of Nature-Based Infrastructure in Kenya |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=28 October 2024 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/nature-based-infrastructure-kenya |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{contor2024sustainable, author = {Contor,, Henri}, title = {{Sustainable Asset Valuation of the Benefits of Nature-Based Infrastructure in Kenya}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2024}, month = oct, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/nature-based-infrastructure-kenya}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }