At the request of the Government of Rwanda, UNEP led a comprehensive, national-scale post-conflict environmental assessment. The main report, Rwanda: From Post-Conflict to Environmentally Sustainable Development, was launched in November 2011.
The scientific assessment involved fieldwork, laboratory analysis and extensive consultation with the Government of Rwanda, academic and research institutions, UN and international agencies, donors, civil society organizations and private sector representatives.
The report covers 11 themes and provides a critical analysis of the most pressing environmental issues facing Rwanda. The most significant environmental impacts stem from massive population displacement and resettlement, including considerable reductions in the surface area of national parks, forests and wetlands. The loss of environmental data and monitoring capacity are among the conflict's enduring impacts.
The priority areas for intervention identified in the report include:
- ecosystem conservation and rehabilitation to combat poverty;
- capacity-building to strengthen environmental governance; and
- enhance and promote regional environmental cooperation.
Please find available here the Full report and Summary report.
UNEP’s assessment was conducted with funding from the Government of Sweden.
