IUCN Collaborates in Rwanda to Leverage Carbon Markets and Ecosystem Services for Sustainable Development

The IUCN team in Rwanda has joined forces with the Ministry of Environment, Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA), Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), and Green Horizon Ventures to hold a stakeholder workshop in Nyagatare District, focusing on the development of a carbon credit selling mechanism for the voluntary carbon market. This initiative is crucial as it provides a framework for harnessing carbon markets to combat climate change while generating income for local communities.

In addition, the IUCN team engaged in a consultative meeting with officials from Gatsibo District and members of the Tuzamurane Ntende Water Users Organization. This meeting marked the beginning of a pilot project for Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) at the Kiliba Dam, an irrigation facility. The PES initiative aims to incentivize local communities for their role in managing and conserving ecosystem services, further integrating environmental sustainability into local economic development.

These projects, part of the broader COMBIO initiative funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and implemented by IUCN, Enabel, and RFA, highlight the importance of carbon markets and ecosystem services in supporting both environmental and economic resilience in Rwanda. By valuing and compensating ecosystem services, these efforts not only address climate change but also empower rural communities, ensuring that their livelihoods are directly tied to the sustainable management of natural resources.