Under its NDCs to the Paris Agreement, Rwanda committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 38 percent by 2030. This was part of the many efforts aimed at fast-tracking climate mitigation and adaptation. Today, Africa, as with the rest of the other continents, is experiencing devastating effects of climate change that range from drought, storms, rising sea levels, among other extreme weather changes. This issue has proven insistent and hence all nations should fight with utmost urgency. And as the world observes Earth Day on April 22, its only timely for the world to reflect on working towards solving the climate crisis. In a previous interview with the New Times, Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, Rwandas Minister in Charge of Environment, said Rwanda needs finance to build resilience to climate change. She said the country needs $11 billion by 2030 to mitigate climate change and build resilience to it. On track to reduce greenhouse emissions Numbers show that greenhouse gas emissions will rise to about 37 per cent in 2030. Suitable management and regulatory frameworks are hence needed to bring about sustainable solutions. However, Rwanda has created strategy aiming to build projects and policies that will make it possible to combat climate change. In the previous decade, the country has made strides in regulation and ease of operation for businesses, intending to reduce carbon emissions while improving service delivery to the affected populations. More Rwandan businesses are getting on board with the same goal. Drones have also been employed in a variety of industries as a way to improve both the environment and human safety. CHARIS, which was founded in 2016, provides surveying, data collection, and aerial photography services using cutting-edge drones. They, along with Zipline, have worked to improve the speed and quality of service delivery while remaining committed to Rwandas goal of zero carbon emissions. Yet more is still being done. There has been establishment of car-free zones to continue implementing environmentally friendly and practical solutions. Gura-Ride, Kigalis public bike-sharing system, is the citys greenest micro-transportation system. The bicycle ride-sharing program is meant to encourage non-motorised transportation and reduce pollution and carbon emissions. There are also projects, such as the ‘green urbanisation project’ that aim at ‘greening’ cities and ensure rehabilitation of urban wetlands and wetlands management, controlling floods, water management, upgrading unplanned settlements, building drainages among others. Platforms such as, Nationally Determined Contribution Partnership Plan, were also launched to guide the countrys implementation of its commitments to the Paris Agreement on climate change.
