Sustainability
- Rwanda is one of the leading African countries in environmental sustainability and conservation.
- Rwanda is committed to decreasing its carbon footprint through new investment funds to promote renewable energy, such as solar power.
- Rwanda signed the Gaborone Declaration for Sustainability in Africa (GDSA) in 2012, declaring their commitment to all conventions and declarations that promote sustainable development.
- Rwanda is set to develop Africa’s first green city, which will eomprise environmentally friendly mini-factories, electric vehicles and affordable housing on 620 hectares in Kigali.
Environmental Initiatives
- Rwanda follows an ambitious reforestation agenda. It exceeded its 30% forest cover target for 2020.
- Led by the Ministry of Environment, the country restored forests such as Nyungwe and Giswati in National Parks.
- Rwamda is also known for its mountain gorilla population. Rwanda’s leading role in the international gorilla conservation programme, has seen the number of gorillas grow in recent years.
- To raise awareness for the ongoing protection of the country’s mountain gorillas and their natural habitat, Rwanda holds an annual gorilla naming ceremony.
- Rwanda’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan aims to “improve environmental stability for natural ecosystems and their biodiversity, restore degraded ecosystems, and maintain equilibrium among biological communities” by 2040.
Cleanliness
- Since 2008, it has been illegal to import, produce, use or sell plastic bags in Rwanda, and penalties are imposed for those who violate the law. Plastic smugglers can receive up to six months in jail.
- The law has been adopted to decrease litter and landfilling and to protect the environment. This had led some to call Rwanda the cleanest country in Africa.
- Umuganda, Rwanda’s monthly community work holiday, has also contributed to Rwanda’s cleanliness.