Rwanda Poverty-Environment
Initiative
Economics Assessment/Valuation of
Environment and Natural Resources
Country Experience
Presented to the PEI Africa Regional Economic Forum
8-11 November 2010
Government of [Rwanda]
UNDP-UNEP Poverty- Environment Initiative
Outline
1. Background PEI Rwanda
2. Key Achievements related to the
Economic Valuation of ENR
3. Objectives and Methodology
4. Key Findings/Recommendations
5. Policy Impact
6. Challenges and Response
7. Lessons Learned
8. Next Steps
Government of [Rwanda]
UNDP-UNEP Poverty- Environment Initiative
BACKGROUND
• Aims to enhance the contribution of sound environmental
management to poverty reduction, sustainable economic
growth and achievement of the Millennium Development
Goals
• Phase II is the integration of environment into national policy and
district planning, policy and budget processes to implement the
Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy
(EDPRS)
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Improved capacity within key ministries and institutions
Improved capacity at district level
Increased awareness and more effective participation of stakeholders
Improved national funding levels for investing in environmental sustainability
Improved capacity for monitoring poverty and environment linkages
Government of [Rwanda]
UNDP-UNEP Poverty- Environment Initiative
BACKGROUND
• PEI, Rwanda is implemented by a cross-ministerial
stakeholder partnership that includes:
• Ministry of Environment and Lands (MINELA); Ministry of Forestry
and Mines (MINIFOM); Ministry of Finance and Economic
Planning (MINECOFIN); Ministry of Local Government
(MINALOC); Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI); Ministry of
Infrastructure (MININFRA) and Ministry of Industry and Trade
(MINICOM).
• Local level implementation is executed through the
decentralization policy process
The project is coordinated and implemented by Rwanda
Environment Management Authority (REMA).
Government of [Rwanda]
UNDP-UNEP Poverty- Environment Initiative
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
• The results from the Rugezi wetland have generated interest from
policy makers at national and international levels
– Feature film at the Copenhagen conference in 2009
– Feature film at World Environment Day, Kigali in 2010
• Renewed focus on rehabilitation efforts have led to the recovery
of water levels and other income generating alternatives such as
Ecotourism.
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Resettlement of former wetland inhabitants
Construction of watch towers
Ministry of Infrastructure is constructing a 2.1 MW hydro station.
Gishwati – a 50 Million USD project by Minagri geared to enhance
ecosystem rehabilitation with emphasis on soil and water conservation
Improved management to diversify livelihood options for the
inhabitants.
Government of [Rwanda]
UNDP-UNEP Poverty- Environment Initiative
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS