Rwanda Green Growth Strategy 18nov11 - Global Climate Change ...

Chapter 63. Centre for Climate Knowledge for Development: Rwanda is located in equatorial Africa, whichlacks sufficient data to produce robust climate projections. Although temperature will rise, thetemperature increase is uncertain. Future rainfall patterns are even more uncertain, as annualrainfall could increase or decrease and rainfall intensity may increase. This uncertainty makes itvery difficult to plan for future adaptation in Rwanda, which is particularly important for agriculture,water resource management, disaster management and land use planning. A Centre for ClimateKnowledge for Development, working with the Rwanda Meteorological Service and researchorganisations, will contribute significantly to improving climate data and projections andtranslating them into policy options for decision makers to guide the country onto a climateresilient development path. This is explained more fully in the report of the same name inAppendix F.4. Agroforestry: Rwanda does not have the land available to expand its forests and plantations, yetthe majority of the population depends on wood for cooking and will continue to do so untilelectricity is available and affordable for all. Agroforestry will provide wood for fuel and socialprotection while avoiding deforestation. Different tree species will be used in agroforestry toprovide construction materials as well as livestock fodder and food (fruit and nuts) which improvefood security. Agroforestry has multiple additional benefits, namely reduced soil erosion andincreased resilience to heavy rains through improved slope stability; water management andnutrient recycling which improve agricultural production; and carbon sequestration. Agroforestryin Rwanda will be guided by latest best practices and research, such as those developed by theWorld Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF).6.2 Quick WinsThe big wins are large scale economy-wide programmes that will take years to fully implement. Thereare a number of immediate ‘quick wins’ that can be implemented to begin addressing the Enabling Pillars.They focus on mainstreaming climate resilience and low carbon development into initiatives that arecurrently underway.1. Institutional Framework: Use the Integrated Development Programme (IDP) to facilitateimplementation of climate resilient low carbon development in rural areas, incorporating the Vision2020 Umurenge Programme. Sectors are already working together to improve development inrural areas and the Rural Development Task Force can be used to incorporate climate resilienceinto the IDP.2. Finance: Operationalise the National Fund for Climate and Environment (FONERWA) to facilitateaccess to international climate finance, especially Fast Start Finance for adaptation. Capacity andfinance will be required to make it operational and start channeling climate finance intoimplementation.3. Integrated Planning and Data Management: Implement regular measuring and reporting ofenergy use across sectors to develop a GHG emissions profile and future energy requirements.More accurate knowledge of energy demands will enable better short and long term planning ofenergy resource management. This will also support applications for climate finance which requirethat GHG emissions are Measurable, Reportable and Verifiable (MRV).4. Capacity Building: Expand Technical and Vocational Educational and Training (TVET) to developskills needed for the Strategy implementation. The Workforce Development Agency has proposeda TVET qualifications framework which will facilitate the development of new qualifications inareas such as renewable energy, agroforestry and irrigation.42Government of Rwanda