Rwanda’s prospects in regards to climate security paints the picture of a turbulent future. Rainfall has been declining over the past decade with the country also recording higher temperature changes than the global average since 1970. Furthermore, major floods are beginning to appear more frequently in consequence leading to the loss of life, displacement and serious damage to critical infrastructure.
In order to combat this, Rwanda has worked on climate change for the past decade, adding both mitigation and adaptation strategies to its national development plans. The country created the Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (GGCRS) in 2011, with a goal to become a developed nation with a climate-resilient, low-carbon economy by 2050. This effort was backed by FONERWA, a green fund that has gathered over $100 million to support environmental projects across different sectors, the biggest of such institutions across Africa. One key aspect of this developmental approach is the fund’s flexible structure, which has enabled government agencies, ministries, academia, civil society organizations, and the private sector to access financing for their programs, mandates, and projects.
Rwanda’s approach connects climate policies across various sectors rather than treating climate change as a separate issue. The country has included climate goals in its Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS2) and in district planning through projects like the Greening District Development Plans. These efforts have allowed Rwanda to work on reducing poverty while building climate resilience, and have encouraged businesses to join sustainability projects, especially in renewable energy for rural areas. Rwanda’s holistic approach to low carbon development is unique in the African context, offering a solution where climate action and development can go hand in hand, even in resource-constrained environments.
