Rwanda Introduces New Environment and Climate Change Policy

The Government of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Environment, has introduced a new Environment and Climate Change Policy to better prepare the country for new opportunities and challenges related to the management of our natural environment and the climate crisis.

The Environment and Climate Change Policy was approved by the Cabinet on 7 June 2019, and is a revised version of a previous policy which was introduced in 2003. The updated policy contains a number of new provisions to better align it with Rwanda’s overarching medium-term National Strategy for Transformation, long-term Vision 2050 as well as multilateral commitments including the EAC Vision 2050, African Union Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol are also considered in the new policy. 

While the previous policy addressed a broad range of topics, climate change was not reflected in the policy objectives and statements. The new policy resolves this challenge by drawing on the latest science and research to guide how climate change should be incorporated into cross government planning. It also provides a framework for the role of international climate finance in the country’s efforts to build a low carbon nation that is resilient to the impacts of a warming planet.

The policy also lays the groundwork for Rwanda to realise opportunities related to best practice environmental management and green growth. The circular economy, which promotes economic growth utilising resources to their full capacity and eliminates waste, is now embedded throughout the document.

In addition, the new policy will support Rwanda to put environment and climate change at the heart of decision making across the public and private sectors as well as civil society by including these topics in Imihigo (government performance contracts), Itorero (civil service) and general school and university curricula.

The policy will ensure Rwanda has a clean and healthy environment that is resilient to climate variability and supports a high quality of life for all who call the country home. The implementation of the policy will be guided by the spirit of inclusiveness, economic and ecosystem value, adaptation and cooperation.

The main policy objectives are:

  1. Greening economic transformation
  2. Enhancing functional natural ecosystems and managing biosafety
  3. Strengthening meteorological and early warning services
  4. Promote climate change adaptation, mitigation and response
  5. Improve environmental well-being for Rwandans
  6. Strengthen environment and climate change governance
  7. Promoting green foreign and domestic direct investment and other capital inflows

Download the new Environment and Climate Change Policy here.

 

 

Whatsapp

Topics


More posts

Rwanda and partners launch two projects to advance energy efficiency and sustainable cooling

The Government of Rwanda, through the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Green…

Read more →

REMA launches the Evidence-based Climate Reporting Initiative to advance climate research and reporting

The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) in collaboration with the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) have on May 19, 2023…

Read more →

National Ozone Officers meet in Kigali to discuss the implementation of Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment

The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s OzonAction has organized a…

Read more →

Minister Mujawamariya officiates the use of LPG donated to 20 schools by REMA through Green Amayaga Project

The Minister of Environment, Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya has on 3rd May 2023 launched the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for bulk cooking in…

Read more →

Delegates from across Africa meet in Kigali to Develop Priorities and Strategies for International Legally Binding Instrument to End Plastic Pollution

The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), in collaboration with the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and the Center for…

Read more →

Rwanda elected to chair Platform of Environmental Protection Agencies in Africa

The first-ever roundtable meeting of Heads of Environmental Protection Agencies and Directors of Environment in Africa (EPAs) has elected Rwanda to…

Read more →

Rwanda to host African Heads of Environmental Protection Agencies to discuss common environmental challenges

Rwanda will from 7–8 March 2023 host the first meeting of the Heads of Environment Protection Agencies and Directors of Environment in Africa (EPAs). 

Read more →

Rwandans Urged to halt wetlands degradation and contribute to wetlands restoration

Kigali, February 02,2023- Rwanda joins the rest of the world to commemorate World Wetlands Day (WWD) usually celebrated every year with the ultimate…

Read more →