The Law establishes Rwanda Meteorology Agency (METEO RWANDA). This Law also determines its mission, organization and functioning. METEO RWANDA shall have legal personality, administrative and financial autonomy and shall be managed per general provisions governing public institutions. “The mission of METEO RWANDA shall consist of implementing the Government policy about meteorology using modern methods of study, research, coordination and promotion of programmes in the field of meteorology”.

The ministerial order establishes modalities guiding inspection of companies and activities polluting the environment. It states that officers competent to investigate environmental crimes shall conduct an inspection aimed at protecting the environment as provided for in articles contained therein.

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 all environmental practitioners licensed to operate in Rwanda. Its responsibilities include; representation of the association’s interest local and globally, analysing and proffering 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 fundamental 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 law determines the organization, mission, and functioning of REMA. REMA shall enjoy legal personality and financial and administrative autonomy. The authority is charged with harmonising all activities related to the environment, playing supervisory roles, and ensuring the integration of environmental activities in the national development programs of the government.

The ministerial order grants the power to investigate 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 under several national and international protocols and ratifications on climate change. It determines modalities for the preservation of air quality and the 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, firefighting operations, and natural disasters.

The Order determines the list of works, projects and activities that have to carry out an environmental 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 of urban infrastructure, potable water, sanitation and management of rainwater, energy supply, and waste management, among others.

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 the 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 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 the fund for addressing climate and general environmental issues; bilateral and multilateral partnerships aimed at fund collection; and collaborating with other institutions with a 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 the environment”.

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

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 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 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, 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 an environmentally friendly manner”.

This Order establishes the list of works, projects and activities that have to carry out an environmental 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 principal thrust of these Regulations is to prevent and minimize pollution from all operations and ancillary activities of the Electrical/ Electronic Sector to the Nigerian environment. These Regulations cover both new and used Electrical/Electronic Equipment (EEE/UEEE).

This document contains an updated Nationally Determined Contribution towards the fight against climate change and fulfilment of the Paris Agreement.