The objectives of these guidelines are to raise awareness on sustainable consumption in Tanzania; to influence behavioural change that will help curb unsustainable consumption; and to guide consumers to make informed decision that will help foster sustainable consumption in Tanzania.

This Strategy has been developed in response to the growing concern of the negative impacts of climate change and climate variability on the country’s social, economic and physical environment. Its overall aim is to enhance the technical, institutional and individual capacity of the country to address the impacts of climate change. The Strategy covers adaptation, mitigation and cross-cutting interventions that will enable Tanzania benefit from the opportunities available to developing countries in their efforts to tackle climate change.

This Law prohibits the manufacturing, importation, use and sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.

The document provides guidelines on procedures and conditions for eligibility to grant exceptional permission to manufacture, use, import or sell single-use plastic items or pack goods in single-use plastics.

This law prohibits the manufacturing, usage, importation and sale of polythene bags in Rwanda.

The National Cooling Strategy (NCS) provides context and identifies priority interventions to optimally address Rwanda’s growing needs for space conditioning and refrigeration (jointly referred to as “cooling”), in keeping with Rwanda’s green growth pathway.

The national policy on library services aims to ensure the improved provision of library facilities and services, to maximize the potential of the libraries in society. It pushes to, among other things: strengthen available resources, provide literacy and reading culture promotion programs, facilitate private sector participation in the development of library services, and effective preservation of the Rwandan intellectual and cultural heritage.

The strategic plan on the environment sub-sector is the 5-year push to highlight the necessary key priorities and resources crucial to achieving the objectives and targets for the environment contained in the vision 2020 and the economic development and poverty reduction strategy (EDPRS). It serves to institutionalise the strategy of the Environment and Natural Resources (ENRSSP). Its objectives are pollution control and management, effective service delivery and environmental governance, integration of environmental principles in the core national policies, protection from effects of climate change and fostering productive functioning of ecosystems.

The El Nino 2015 Preparedness Plan represents all efforts at effective preparation and response plan for disasters associated with the El Nino effect. It emphasizes the readiness of the Government, communities and other different stakeholders for Disaster Risk Management activities. This plan presents the institutional roles, responsibilities, authorities and key processes crucial to mounting coordinated, coherent and consistent management of El Nino 2015 related issues.

The policy notes the various efforts charged at uplifting environmental conditions over the years. It however also notes the continued deterioration of the environment as a result of high population density, erosion, deforestation, various pollution forms, and the lack of a coordinated framework (political, legal, and institutional) arising from the unrest of 1994. This policy seeks to bridge the gap by providing principles and objectives to guide activities towards making the environment safer.

The strategies contained in this document are charged towards mainstreaming climate resilience and low carbon development into the national plans of Rwanda; the vision 2020, and the economic development and poverty reduction strategy (EDPRS). It has a 2050 vision to achieve development in the country with low carbon emission and independence from oil for power generation.

The country’s commitment to engaging in the international process of developing a climate change agreement. Five guiding pillars drive the implementation of the strategy: “Institutional Arrangements; Finance; Capacity Building and Knowledge Management; Technology, Innovation and Infrastructure; and Integrated Planning and Data Management”.

The Presidential order ratifies the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, adopted in Paris on December 12, 2015. The ministers of natural resources, foreign affairs and cooperation are tasked with implementation.

The ministerial instructions relate to the modalities of burning wastes, garbage, and other objects. It expressly states that “Garbage, waste or any other object disposal by open-air burning is prohibited, except when allowed under these instructions. Burning of biodegradable garbage, waste or any other object is also prohibited”. It highlights exceptions to prohibitions, and incineration requirements.

The ministerial order on air pollutants emission chiefly determines the requirements relating to air pollutants emission and the necessary administrative sanctions for violations of provisions of the law governing the preservation of air quality and prevention of air pollution in Rwanda. The order covers all motorised means of transport; motorcycles, vehicles, motorboats, and machines using petroleum products as a source of energy. It also relates to all permitted activities failing to comply with emission standards.

The law governs all activities relating to petroleum exploration and production in Rwanda. It states clearly that all rights of ownership and control on all lands in Rwanda are vested in the states, without recourse to any form of personal ownership. It also stipulates that all exploration and production of petroleum shall be subject to licenses provided for under this law.

The Law governs the use, management, and regulation of ionising radiations and related activities. This represents efforts at ensuring the protection of people, biodiversity and the environment from the negative effects of radiation exposure. The law applies to; the management of radioactive waste resulting from civilian applications, and the regulation of the use of ionising radiations, ranging from production, to use handling and management. It makes provisions for offences and penalties, licensing regime, inspection procedures, import and export of ionising radiation sources, surveillance, and regulations for radiation protection.

The Law repeals the Law of 2010 establishing Rwanda Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority (EWSA) and determining its responsibilities, organization and functioning. The law transfers all responsibilities, properties (movable and immovable), claims, and debts to; the energy company, and the water and sanitation company.

The scope of the law includes; “towns and agglomerations with at least ten thousand (10,000) inhabitants spread over an area of at least twenty square kilometres (20 sq. km) and occupied by at least residential houses, infrastructure, administrative buildings and buildings designed for socio-economic activities; areas occupied by socio-economic and administrative infrastructure within a radius of two kilometres (2km) around such infrastructure if such areas are classified as an economic zone by competent organs; and areas classified as economically attractive by competent organs”. It subdivides urban areas into cities, municipalities, and agglomerations.