As the world celebrates International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, Rwanda has called for stronger partnerships, increased investment and shared responsibility to beat air pollution despite various achievements.

The day, which is a United Nations observance day aimed at raising awareness about the importance of clean air and addressing air pollution, is celebrated annually on September 7.

This year’s Clean Air for Blue Skies day is celebrated under the theme: Together for Clean Air.

More interventions are needed given that, according to the World Health Organisation, 99 per cent of humanity breathes polluted air, making it the single greatest environmental health risk we face.

It estimates that both ambient (outdoor) and household (indoor) air pollution are responsible for about 7 million deaths globally per year.

As a solution, in Rwanda, a number of initiatives have been put in place to improve the quality of the air human beings breathe.

These include transitioning to clean cooking, promoting electric vehicles, encouraging people to use non-motorised transport, as well as promoting car-free days.

Rwanda has also developed an air quality Monitoring System that provides real-time data on air quality at 23 sites across the country, and has adopted regulatory frameworks related to air pollution control - including introducing Euro 4 fuel standards.

"Rwanda is playing its part through a range of government-led initiatives, but we cannot overcome air pollution without strong partnerships across borders and with the private sector and civil society organisations. We are all responsible for the quality of the air we breathe. By taking simple actions in our daily lives, we address air pollution,” said Juliet Kabera, Director General, Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).

Despite the progress made, air pollution remains a change for Rwanda and the world at large, and there is a need for all stakeholders to work together to ensure clean air.

"We are encouraging collaboration among government institutions, industries, civil society, and academia to create comprehensive strategies for air quality management and sustainable solutions to improve the quality of the air we breathe,” she said.

Increasing funding for research, technological innovation

Kabera said that the government is also promoting increased funding for research, technological innovation, and projects that reduce emissions, enhance air quality monitoring, and promote cleaner energy sources.

Rwanda has developed a carbon market framework that will unlock financial incentives for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional cooking methods, she said.

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), of which Rwanda is a member, also works to address climate change and air pollution (short-lived climate pollutants) at the same time.

Rwanda has partnered with the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which finances projects that address climate change mitigation and contribute to the reduction of air pollution.

The country has also established the Rwanda Green Fund that invests in a range of public and private sector initiatives that are reducing air pollution.

Outreach activities

To mark this year’s International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, the Rwanda Environment Management Authority organised a number of outreach activities, including roadside vehicle emissions checks, public awareness campaigns and a national celebration event to increase awareness of Rwandans on the need of clean air.

"We have partnered with Rwanda National Police to conduct the vehicle emissions testing, along busy roads in Kigali, specifically in Nyandungu, Giti Cyinyoni, and Karuruma. These efforts aim to showcase the levels of pollutants emitted by vehicles and educate drivers and passengers about the significance of clean air,” Kabera said.

REMA also conducted the inspections at metal and battery recycling factories, and the incinerations facilities, which use to emit air pollution.

These initiatives serve to increase awareness and promote compliance with air quality standards.

During the Clean Air Day Celebration on September 7, 2023 at Kigali Serena Hotel, Private sector companies exhibited their products and shared a number of solutions including clean cooking solutions, electric vehicles among others to reduce air pollution.

Air pollution is not limited by boundaries

Claudine Uwera, the Minister of State for the Environment, said that the detrimental effects of air pollution are not limited by borders or boundaries.

"It is imperative that we join forces and work together to address this critical issue,” she said, reminding that exposure to air pollutants is strongly correlated with increased mortality and morbidity caused by cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in Rwanda.

According to the 2020 report of the Rwandan Ministry of Health, respiratory diseases were the main cause of morbidity in Rwanda in 2019.

She said that Rwanda’s commitment to addressing air pollution is evident through various initiatives such as: promoting electric mobility fiscal and non-fiscal incentives accorded to electric vehicles and their accessories, reducing dependence to biomass for cooking by promoting alternative cleaner sources of energy, the use of renewable energy sources like solar power and hydropower, enhancing waste management practices, and encouraging public transportation systems.

However, she said: "There is still much work to be done. Practical steps such as a commitment to promote and use public transport, cycling or walking short distances, and participation in car free days, do make a difference.”

She commended the investment of our development partners and the private sector in introducing new and advanced technologies in clean cooking and waste management.

"Adequate funding is required to support research and development of innovative technologies that reduce emissions, promote renewable energy sources, enhance air quality monitoring systems, and implement effective policies,” she noted.

Different partners expressed their commitment to reducing air pollution in Rwanda.

Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) have installed sensors to monitor the level of air and noise pollution.

"We collected a lot of data and we are in the phase of analyzing the data. We are going to work on attributing sources by identifying sources and the effects on the population across Kigali. We are working with Rwanda Biomedical Centre to look at the effects. One of the observations made by RBC is that there are certain cancers people do not understand why,” said Wilfred Ndifon, President of AIMS Research and Innovation Centre.