Gavin Newsom, Governor of California | Official website
California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a new partnership with Kenya aimed at reducing pollution and supporting trade between the two regions. The agreement was formalized during Climate Week in New York, where Newsom led California’s delegation in a bilateral meeting with Kenyan President William Ruto.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by both parties outlines cooperation on several fronts, including environmental protection, reduction of air pollution and carbon emissions, promotion of sustainable transportation and clean energy goals, and enhancement of trade. The partnership also aims to encourage policy research and innovation in sustainable land use and urban planning.
Governor Newsom stated, “California and Kenya are both on the front lines of the climate crisis – we know the hots are getting hotter and the dries are getting drier. We’re working together to cut pollution, build cleaner transportation and boost trade between our two economies. While the federal government abdicates its international role, California will always be a stable and reliable partner.”
President Ruto commented on the significance of the collaboration: “This milestone partnership between Kenya and California reflects our shared vision and commitment to bold climate action and green development. By linking innovation, investment, and research, we will accelerate Africa’s transition in sustainable energy, transportation, and food systems, while creating new opportunities and prosperity for our people.”
The announcement follows recent efforts by California to strengthen international partnerships focused on climate action. Last month saw an MOU signed with Denmark to support green economic growth as well as digital resilience. Earlier this year, Newsom entered into an agreement with 21 Brazilian state governors through Consórcio Brasil Verde (CBV), which has led to joint work across various areas of climate policy.
California has also established agreements with other countries such as South Korea’s Gyeonggi Province; Sweden; Norway; China—including five separate MOUs with national agencies or regional governments—and Australia. In 2022 alone, similar arrangements were made with Canada, New Zealand, Japan, China again via a separate understanding, the Netherlands, Washington State, Oregon State, and British Columbia.
According to state data for 2023—the most recent available—greenhouse gas emissions in California have fallen by 20% since 2000 while its gross domestic product increased by 78%. The state achieved two-thirds clean energy usage last year—making it the largest economy globally to reach that level—and operated on fully clean electricity for part of almost every day so far this year. Since Governor Newsom took office battery storage capacity rose above 15 gigawatts—a more than nineteenfold increase—and over 25 gigawatts of new resources have been added to California’s electric grid.
The partnership is expected to further drive policy innovation while opening up new avenues for public-private collaboration between California-based entities and their Kenyan counterparts.
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