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 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 kilometers (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 kilometers (2km) around such infrastructure if such areas are classified as economic zone by competent organs; and areas classified as economically attractive by competent organs”. It subdivides urban areas into cities, municpalities, and agglomerations.

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 in accordance with general provisions governing public institutions. “The mission of METEO RWANDA shall consist of implementing the Government policy in relation to meteorology using modern methods of study, research, coordination and promotion of programmes in the field of meteorology”.

The law determines the organization, mission, and functioning of the the Rwanda environment management authority (REMA). REMA shall enjoy legal personality, and financial and administrative autonomy. The authority is charged with harmonising all activities related to the environment, play supervisory roles, and ensure the integration of environmental activities in the national development programs of the government.

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 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 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 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

“The National Strategy and Action Plan for the Implementation of the Great Green Wall highlights the evolution of the Great Green Wall for the Sahel and Sahara Initiative (GGWSSI); presents assessment of Ethiopia’s biophysical, socio-economic and policy, legislation and institutional aspects as they relate to the initiative and potential areas across the GGWSSI development. The strategy consists of six pillars namely: sustainable management of natural resources and improved production systems, development of basic socio-economic infrastructures, development of income generating activities, promotion of good local governance, capacity building of stakeholders, and research and knowledge management. The overall goal of the GGWSSI is to improve the resilience of human and natural systems in the Sahel-Saharan zone against climate changes”.