Transcript Investments and Environmental Protection in Rwanda

Investments and Environental
Protection in Rwanda vis à vis
climate change
Presentation by
RDB
Content
• Introduction
• International instruments governing climate
change.
• Institutional
&
Legal
Framework
for
Environmental Protection
• Investment opportunities to fight climate
change
• Conclusion
Introduction
• There is international consensus that climate change
is a reality, as a global challenge.
• Climate change is a global problem that requires
common international concerted efforts to address
the causes, adapt and build resilience.
• Africa is the most vulnerable continent to the
adverse impacts of climate change:
 its position on the globe, has a warm climate and is
exposed to erratic rainfall, prevalence of poor soils
and flood plains;
 most economies in Africa are dependent on sectors
such as agriculture that are susceptible to climate
variations;
 low adaptive capacity – high poverty levels, low
capacities, conflicts etc……..
Introduction (cnt’d)
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Rwanda is experiencing:
significant variations in precipitation patterns,
higher temperatures,
increased incidence of severe weather events,
greater incidences of pests and diseases etc.
Consequences:
 decline in agricultural production that will imperil
food security and exacerbate malnutrition,
 negatively influencing economic growth and poverty
reduction efforts,
 endanger the livelihoods of people in the most
vulnerable regions.
Rwanda must engage with the international community
to address the challenge posed by climate change
International instruments governing climate change
• United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – Adopted in
1992 entered into force in 1994:“stabilize
greenhouse concentrations in the
atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the
climate system.”
 The Kyoto Protocol – adopted in 1997 entered into force in 2007:
 An implementation Protocol under the Convention that establishes “legally binding
obligations for developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions : first
commitment period 2008-2012 and second commitment period 2013-2020.”
o The new Paris agreement adopted last year 2015 and all other
previous agreements adopted by the Conference of the Parties
since 1992-20015.
 All these agreements were established to tackle climate
change while preserving environment
At local level: The Institutional and Legal
Framework for protection of environment
• The Rwandan Constitution of June 4, 2003 as
amended to date, article 49 states that every citizen
is entitled to a healthy and satisfying
The Rwanda National Policy on environment, 2003:has an overall
objective of improving the human well-being, the judicious utilization of
natural resources and the protection and rational management of
ecosystems for sustainable development
• Rwanda Vision 2020: The vision 2020 of Rwanda gives strategic actions
and inter alia institutes the principle of precaution to mitigate the
negative effects caused to the environment by the socioeconomic
activities
• Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS):is a
medium-term framework for achieving the country’s long term
development aspirations as embodied in Rwanda’s Vision 2020, and the
Millennium Development Goals (MDG)
 The Rwanda ‘s Organic Law determining the modalities for protection,
conservation and promotion of environment in Rwanda
•
The Institutional and Legal Framework for
protection of environment
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Ministerial order N° 003/2008 of 15/08/2008 relating to the
requirements and procedure for environmental impact Assessment
(EIA).
Ministerial order N°004/2008 of 15/08/2008 establishing the list
of works, activities and projects that have to undertake an
environment impact assessment.
International legislative framework;
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Conventions & Protocols to which Rwanda has subscribed: UNFCCC
(UN Convention on climate change, Kyoto Protocol and now Paris
agreement
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NATIONALLY:
MINIRENA: Policy and Laws
REMA: Regulatory Entity, Enforcement of Laws related to environment.
RDB: Attract both Foreign and Local investment while ensuring
economic development goes hand in hand with environment protection
Opportunities
• RDB hosts the One Stop Center Division in charge of
environmental impact assessment
• As per Law all development projects prior the
commencement must undergo EIA.
• RDB is responsible to issue EIA CERTIFICATES for
those projects
• RDB ensures that projects that are cause of
emissions of CO2 ( CARBON DIOXIDE) are seriously
mitigated
Opportunities (cnt’d)
• The Climate Change Convention presents an
opportunity of technology development and transfer
as a pillar to mitigate climate change;
• RDB while attracting investment ensures that all
technology brought in the country are environmentally
sound proved;
• RDB also plays a role to invites foreign investor to
invest in those technologies that can mitigate climate
change
• For local investors, RDB joins its efforts to those of
MINIREMA, and REMA to take the advantage of
financial opportunities offered by FONERWA to
implement environmental friendly projects.
Opportunities (Cnt’d)
• Projects:
 RDB is negotiator in different projects and mostly projects
in Energy Sector, Agriculture, ICT, Transport ,etc……
 In all these sectors RDB ensures that the technology used
is not contributing to emissions of carbon dioxide) and other
Greenhouse gas emissions.
 RDB participates in the preparation of CDM ( Clean
Development Mechanisms) projects provided by Kyoto
Protocol to reduce emissions of GHG (Greenhouse Gas ) in
the atmosphere
Conclusion
• Environment and climate change is a global challenge
that needs global efforts to tackle it;
• We need investments to develop our country, but we
need to ensure that this goes towards sustainable
development.
• We need to avoid development of industries that
contribute to global warming.
• Invite investors that may bring us technologies which
can help mitigate climate change, not those which
have contributed to the global threat we are facing
today.
• We need to develop awareness campaigns such that
environmental & climate change issues are fully
attended to by all.
Thank you for your
attention