According to a report published by Wageningen University, in the last 8 years, auction prices of tea have gone up by 26%, but at the same time the inflation rates have also risen to 66% in the same duration. This means that tea farmers earn considerably less 8 years down the line despite the rise in the prices of tea globally. This points to a need for tea manufacturers to find ways to drastically reduce the production costs, and more specifically the energy costs.

Kenya Tea Development Agency together with other stakeholders in the renewable energy sector agree that as players, they need to observe the Kyoto Protocol; every UN member states should strive to have at least 10% forest cover. Kenya on its part has a 7% forest cover.

Narrowing further to the situation in Kenya, 18.7 million meters cubed of firewood was used as of early 2019 and by 2032 the country will be using 21.7 million meters cubed of firewood, this translates to more trees going down yet we have to achieve and maintain a 10% forest cover. It is imperative that there should be a major switch to alternative energy sources, and tea production is not an exception.

Rainforest Alliance advocates for the use of carbonized charcoal briquettes made from sawdust, coffee husks, and rice husks.

But all is not lost, there are efforts that have been invested in this cause and as a result, 10,000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide have been saved as a result of reduced greenhouse gas emissions and 13.5 million USD saved in energy costs.