Kenya’s corporate landscape is changing. For decades, company reports were mostly about revenues, profits, and shareholder value. Today, more and more firms are publishing sustainability reports — detailed accounts of how they are managing their environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance standards.

In the past year alone, big names such as Safaricom, Kenya Airways, KCB, and East African Breweries PLC (EABL) have rolled out glossy reports tracking their renewable energy use, water conservation, farmer support programmes, and waste management.

At first glance, these reports might seem like niche documents meant for investors and regulators, yet they reveal a profound shift in how businesses are preparing for a climate-conscious, resource-scarce world. For ordinary Kenyans, they carry implications that stretch from the cost of food and water to job security and economic resilience.

EABL’s 2025 sustainability report illustrates just how central this trend has become. The brewer announced on Thursday, October 2, that over 70 percent of its manufacturing is now powered by renewable energy. This milestone was achieved through heavy investments in biomass plants, energy recovery systems, and the electrification of operations.

At its breweries in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Kampala, biomass facilities have helped cut direct emissions. The company has also introduced Zero Liquid Discharge systems to recycle and reuse water while lowering energy demand, and has swapped out diesel-powered forklifts for electric ones.

These changes have reduced the company’s environmental footprint, but they are also practical business decisions. By reducing dependence on fossil fuels, EABL has insulated itself against the volatility of global energy prices and growing international climate regulations. Its investments are as much about long-term resilience as they are about corporate responsibility.

Water stewardship is another highlight. In 2025 alone, the company replenished more than 700 million litres of water, nearly double its target of 400 million litres for the year, bringing its cumulative contribution to more than two billion litres. At the same time, EABL’s regenerative agriculture initiatives have helped some farmers double their yields, strengthening rural incomes and ensuring steady supplies of raw materials.

Speaking at the launch of the report, EABL Group Managing Director and CEO Jane Karuku noted that sustainability has been embedded in every part of the business.

“This year’s report reflects how we are embedding sustainability into every drop of our business. From protecting vital water sources to transitioning to renewable energy, we are proving that long-term business success goes hand in hand with environmental stewardship and social progress,” she remarked. It is a message that highlights how intertwined corporate profits and environmental stewardship have become.

EABL’s approach is part of a wider shift across corporate Kenya. More companies are racing to release sustainability reports, and the timing is not accidental.

Climate change is no longer a distant threat. Kenya has faced severe droughts, unpredictable floods, and increasingly erratic rainfall. These shocks disrupt supply chains, inflate costs, and threaten industries dependent on natural resources.

A brewer cannot operate if rivers dry up, just as a manufacturer cannot run machines when energy costs are unstable. Reporting on energy transitions, aviation, water conservation, and waste management is not just about image; it is a matter of survival.

Global investors are also driving the trend. As capital flows increasingly favour companies that demonstrate environmental and social responsibility, Kenyan firms seeking international funding must show their progress.

Sustainability reports have therefore become investment magnets, demonstrating that a company is credible, transparent, and prepared for the risks of the future. For Kenyans, this means stronger businesses, more jobs, and potentially more stable prices, because global investors are more willing to inject capital into companies that meet high Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.

Regulation is another factor. The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) requires listed firms to publish ESG disclosures, while global frameworks such as the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures are being adopted internationally.

Export-driven businesses are under particular pressure from the European Union, which has tightened rules around climate disclosures. For many Kenyan companies, sustainability reporting is no longer voluntary — it is the price of entry into global markets.

There is also the matter of consumer choice. Kenyan consumers, especially younger generations, are increasingly conscious of environmental impact. Social media has given people the power to scrutinise and call out companies accused of greenwashing.

In this environment, sustainability reporting is both a way to build trust and a tool for brand survival. By publishing detailed reports, companies are signalling that they are willing to be judged on more than their balance sheets.

The ripple effects of sustainability efforts are already visible. When EABL invests in regenerative agriculture, farmers benefit directly through improved yields and stable incomes. When water projects are launched, communities also gain access to replenished rivers and protected catchments. When banks such as KCB offer green financing, local entrepreneurs in clean energy and climate-smart agriculture have better access to credit.

This is why sustainability reports are worth paying attention to. They are not just glossy brochures for boardrooms. They contain measurable targets, timelines, and results that affect people far beyond corporate headquarters.

They allow the public to distinguish between companies that are making real progress and those hiding behind vague promises. For ordinary Kenyans, the numbers inside these reports can signal whether industries will remain resilient against climate shocks, whether food and water supplies will be secure, and whether jobs tied to agriculture and manufacturing will remain stable.

Transparency is also part of the value. For too long, corporate sustainability was dominated by unverified claims. Formal reporting now forces companies to back up their commitments with hard data, from tonnes of emissions avoided to litres of water replenished. Accountability is good for investors and regulators, but it is equally important for consumers and citizens who want to know which companies are walking the walk.

Kenya is positioning itself as a leader in climate resilience and green growth in Africa, and corporate sustainability reporting is part of that story. The government has set ambitious climate goals, and companies are aligning their strategies accordingly.

Donors and investors are also pushing the agenda forward. The reports being released today are early signals of how the private sector plans to stay relevant in a resource-constrained, climate-challenged world.

The bigger test will be whether these glossy documents translate into real, long-term benefits for ordinary Kenyans. Will water replenishment projects grow to meet the scale of demand? Will regenerative farming practices spread widely enough to transform food security? Will renewable energy investments bring down costs and stabilise supply for industries and consumers alike? These are the questions that will determine whether sustainability reporting becomes more than a corporate ritual.

What is clear is that sustainability reporting is becoming a central part of how businesses prove their legitimacy and prepare for the future. As EABL’s “Spirit of Progress” strategy demonstrates, sustainability is not just about saving the planet. It is about protecting profits, creating jobs, and building resilience in a country where climate, community, and commerce are inseparably linked.

For Kenyans, paying attention to these reports is not optional. They are indicators of how our economy is adapting, how companies are being held accountable, and how our shared future is being shaped — from the grain in our fields to the glass in our hands.