There is a need for contribution by Civil Society Organizations, Non-governmental organizations and the private sector to contribute to the implementation of Rwanda’s $11 billion ten-year climate plan by planning and integrating climate change in all projects. The revised plans known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) were submitted by Rwanda to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) last year. The measures to be implemented from 2021 to 2030 are related to renewable energy, green transport, waste management, and climate-resilient agriculture, clean technologies in industries, green buildings, green cities and reforestation. They also include water security, wetlands restoration, climate compatible mining, disaster motoring, adaptation to disease outbreaks, livestock and crop insurance, storm water management, floods control among many others. Out of $11 billion, it is expected that $4.155 billion will be sourced from domestic financing, while $6.885 billion will be sourced from external financing. At least $5.677 billion will be spent on mitigation measures to reduce causes of climate change while $5.364 billion will be spent on adapting to the effects of climate change. Faustin Munyazikwiye, The Deputy Director General of Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) says that there are expectations from Civil Society Organizations, Non-governmental organizations and private sector to put in practice the pledges. “To meet these funding requirements, the Government of Rwanda will commit significant resources, but the role of Civil Society Organizations, NGOs and private sector is also paramount as the Government of Rwanda alone cannot afford to mobilize such a big amount,” he said. The funding requirements for Rwanda NDC unconditional measures (domestically supported), he said, account for 40 percent of the total estimated funding requirements, and conditional measures (need for international support) count for 60 percent. “Through the public-private partnerships Civil Society Organizations, NGOs and private sector have a great role to play starting from resources mobilization, capacity building, technology development and transfer which are key for a full implementation of Rwanda NDC,” he said. He noted that the Civil Society Organizations, NGOs and private sector are members of sector working groups which will follow up the implementation of sectoral plans and investments through Joint Sector Reviews adding, “ they have a great role to play in this position to ensure that NDC actions are well embedded to easy implementation.” He said that as members of Joint Action Development Forum (JADF) at District level, Civil Society Organizations, NGOs and private sector should advocate ensuring a full integration of NDC actions in all district development programs including District Development Strategies (DDSs) and district performance contracts and monitor the implementation. 63 organisations on board Faustin Vuningoma, the Coordinator of Rwanda Climate Change and Development organizations Network in Rwanda said that 63 organisations from the network have been trained on integrating the climate pledges in their projects. “We have trained them so that they understand NDCs and how they can play the role in implementing the Paris Agreement by integrating NDCs in their works,” he said. The Paris deal signed in 2015 aims to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius with an ambition to contain any increase at below 1.5 degrees. The government pledges or NDCs are essential tools in implementing the Paris Agreement. The updated pledges to fight climate change are being submitted ahead of COP-26. UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) summit is due to take place in Glasgow, from October 31-November 12, 2021. A little over half of the world’s nations have submitted updated climate action plans ahead of the crucial climate summit. “Some Civil society and non-governmental organizations are not aware of the government pledges and they should be aware of how they will help fight climate change, reducing global warming gases and building adaptation to climate change effects because they are close to communities,” he said. He added that some of the organizations are aware of NDCs but need climate finance to get resources to play their role. “They should put efforts together in resource mobilization,” he noted. So far he said, 63 have made strong commitments after being trained on NDCs. “We have committed to promoting agro-ecology for climate resilience. We have also committed to teach the community so that they understand what NDCs recommend for easing the implementation,” he said. The commitments, he said, include planting forests and agro-forestry, reducing the use of chemical fertilizers by embracing organic manure, reducing wood fuel in cooking by using improved cook stoves, cooking gas and solar energy. The commitments also include educating Rwanda on using non-motorized transport such as bicycles, rehabilitating degraded lands among many others.
