- Rwanda has cut 126,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over the last nine years due to strategic climate resilience investments made across the country.
- Whether Africa is ready to use climate finance should not be used as an excuse to justify inaction.
At the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) held in Egypt, On Finance day, official data released on green investments by the Rwanda Green Fund showed that since 2013, Rwanda had cut 126,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over the last nine years as a result of strategic climate resilience investments made across the country. The data funding worth US$247 million had been mobilized for strategic climate-resilient investments. The funding was invested in 46 green projects across the country that helped to cut carbon emissions.
Claudine Uwera, Rwanda’s Economic Planning Minister, said Rwanda needs an estimated US$11 billion to mitigate and adapt to climate change effects up to 2030. In addition, she said, “COP27 is an opportunity to engage development partners to meet the remaining financing of US$6.5 billion to accelerate momentum to deliver on Rwanda’s climate agenda”.
At least 47,000 hectares of forests and agro-forestry were planted, while 31,000 hectares of watershed and water bodies have been protected. Over 88,000 households were given access to off-grid clean energy, while 120,000 people were supported to cope with the effects of climate change, according to the data. In his remark, President Paul Kagame said questioning whether Africa is ready to use climate finance should not be used as an excuse to justify inaction.
Also, Jeanne D’arc Mujawamariya, Rwandan Environment Minister, called on rich nations to deliver on the US$100 billion per annum pledge. Since 2009, the promise of US$100 billion by developed countries every year by 2020 to support developing countries in coping with climate change remains unfulfilled.