The ministerial order grants the power to investigate to specific members of staff of the Rwanda environment management authority (REMA). The investigative power revolves around crimes provided for under the Organic Law of 2005 determining the modalities of protection, conservation and promotion of the environment in Rwanda and other related laws.

The law is pursuant to a number of national and international protocols and ratifications on climate change. It determines modalities for preservation of
air quality and prevention of air pollution in Rwanda. The Law applies to all measures aimed at the preservation of air quality as well as all elements or activities likely to affect air quality or pollute the atmosphere. The law fails to cover air pollutants arising from; military operations and drills, use of radioactive substances, fire fighting operations, and natural disaters.

The Order determines the list of works, projects and activities that have to carry out environment impact assessment before being granted prior authorization. The environment management authority reserves the right to request an environmental impact assessment from projects or works not listed therein.

The decree determines the town planning and construction regulations in Rwanda. The town planning code determines the activities prohibited in the; floodplain areas and marshes; water sources, water bodies and their watersheds; steep slopes, ridges and peaks; natural forests and reforestation areas; and zones of seismic and volcanic risk. The order also addresses principles or urban infrsatructure, potable water, sanitation and management of rainwater, energy supply, and waste management, among others.

The law establishes the National Fund for Environment (FONERWA) as an institution with legal personality, and financial and administrative autonomy. The supervisory organ of the fund is to be decided by an order of the prime minister. Its objectives include; mobilisation and management of fund for addressing climate and general environmental issues, bilateral and multilateral partnerships aimed at fund collection, and collaborating with other institutions with similar mandate.

The ministerial order focuses on the modalities of environment conservation in mining and quarry extraction. It details the structure and content of environmental impact assessment, environmental conservation plan, environment rehabilitation bond. The order clearly states that; “any person involved in prospecting, exploring, as well as mining and quarry extraction activities shall have the responsibilities to carry out his activities in a way that is not detrimental to environment”.

The law establishes the Rwanda association of professional environmental practitioners (RAPEP). The association shall have its distinct legal personality, and financial and administrative autonomy. The association shall comprise of all environmental practitioners licensed to operate in Rwanda. Its responsibilities include; representation of the association’s interest locall and globally, analyse and proffer solutions to the problems facing environmental assessment practitioners’ profession, and promotion of professionalism among members, among other objectives.

The law determines ways and avenues to protect, conserve, and promote the environment onto cleaner and greener status. The law places the fundamenta principle on environmental conservation on preventing activities considered to have negative impacts on the environment, pending a thorough scientific assessment. The law further orders persons or entities that engage in activities polluting the environment, to either make restitution, rehabilitation, or go through punishment.

The presidential order to ratify the amendment to the Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer. The protocol was adopted at kigali in 2016. the ministries of foreign affairs and natural resources, as well the office of the prime minister are charged with implementing the protocol.

The law establishes the Rwanda energy, water, and sanitation authority (EWSA) as a public institution with legal personality, and financial and administrative autonomy. The authority is charged with implementation of government policies relating to energy, water, and sanitation through coordination and monitoring of all actions. The law also addresses the management organs and supervisory bodies of EWSA.

The prime minister’s order establishes the national man and biosphere committee. The committee is charged with promoting and developing the activities of the International Man and Biosphere Programme of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in Rwanda. The Rwandan environmental management authority is saddled with the responsibility of supervision and collaboration. It highlights the responsibilities and organization of the committee.

The ministerial order determining the modalities and requirements for the financial guarantee of environmental protection and its use in mining operations. It discusses the modalities for depositing and use of the guarantee.

The Order establishes rules and procedures for Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA). It sets out pertinent provisions including; organs of the authority, meetings, procurement committee, financial management, and transitional provisions.

The regulation addresses the issue of the legal framework enabling the electronic and electrical waste collection and management system in Rwanda. It applies to all actors, ranging from producer to consumer, involved in the manufacture, assembly, sale, and purchase and processing of electronic and electrical equipment or E-waste in Rwanda. “The regulation is established for protecting the environment and human health by preventing or reducing the adverse impacts of the generation and management of waste from electrical and electronic equipment, and by promoting resource efficiency through reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery of E-waste in environmental friendly manner”.

The Order establishes the list of works, projects and activities that have to carry out environment impact assessment before being granted prior authorization. The environment management authority reserves the right to request an environmental impact assessment from projects or works not listed therein.

The Environmental Protection Authority is established as an autonomous public institution of the Federal Government. The Authority shall be accountable to the Council of Ministers. “The objective of the Authority shall be to ensure that all matters pertaining to the country’s social and economic development activities are carried out in a manner that will protect the welfare of human beings as well as sustainably protect, develop and utilize the resource bases on which they depend for survival”.

Ethiopia has a vision to attain a green economy, as enshrined in its climate resilient green economy (CRGE) initiative. It has identified the forest resources as a tool for achieving this goal through Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). The process has had it toil socially, in relation to land acquisition and restriction of access. “This resettlement framework seeks to ensure that affected communities are meaningfully consulted in the planning process, adequately compensated, in a fair and transparent way.

The government of Ethiopia has responded to the effects of climate change being faced by the country, by developing the climate resilient green economy (CRGE); which highlights government’s plans and visions to attain a green economy come 2025. The initiative has been led by the prime minister’s office, the environmental protection agency, the Ethiopian development research institute, team of experts, and international partners. This report sets out the findings of the CRGE, and outlines the plan to develop Ethiopia into a green economy

“The basic aim of the policy and strategy is to meet public demand in forest products and foster the contribution of forests in enhancing the economy of the country through appropriately conserving and developing forest resources”. It seeks to align efforts charged at conservation, development, and utilization with other government policies for social and economic development

This serves as the fourth volume of the national policy on natural resources and the environment. Volume 1 examined the underlying state of the country’s natural resources; volume II presented a policy and strategic framework for the sustainable use of the resources, while III dealt with questions arising with regards to institutions and implementation plans for the strategies defined in volume II. This volume IV highlights plans and actions across a framework of cross-sectoral and sectoral programmes to translate the strategies in volume II in actionable activities.