Heavy reliance on biomass cooking, expanding cooling technologies, and growing energy demand are driving emissions upward despite ongoing climate action efforts.
Rwanda’s greenhouse gas emissions have reached their highest level on record, more than tripling over the past 16 years, according to a new report released by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).
The report reveals that the country’s emissions increased from 2.395 million tonnes in 2006 to 7.832 million tonnes in 2022, representing an overall increase of 5.4 million tonnes during the period under review.
The findings are contained in Rwanda’s First Biennial Transparency Report, which analyses the country’s greenhouse gas emissions between 2006 and 2022 and identifies the key sectors driving the increase.
The report tracks four major greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and are covered under international climate agreements: carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Carbon dioxide emissions largely stem from human activities such as cooking with firewood and charcoal, industrial processes, and the use of petroleum-based fuels.
Methane emissions are primarily generated by livestock farming, decomposing organic waste, and oil-related activities, while nitrous oxide emissions mainly result from the use of agricultural fertilisers.
Hydrofluorocarbons, commonly found in refrigerators and air conditioners, are also becoming a growing source of emissions.
To standardise measurements, all greenhouse gases are converted into carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e), a metric that allows scientists and policymakers to compare their overall impact on climate change.
According to the report, emissions rose from 2.395 million tonnes in 2006 to 4.017 million tonnes in 2010.
Between 2011 and 2014, emissions temporarily stabilised at just over 3 million tonnes annually before beginning another steady climb.
In 2015, emissions surged to 5.031 million tonnes.
They declined slightly in 2016 and 2017, remaining just above 4 million tonnes, before increasing once again to 5.314 million tonnes in 2018 and 6.731 million tonnes in 2019. In 2020, emissions fell marginally to 6.434 million tonnes.
However, the upward trend resumed thereafter, with emissions reaching 7.095 million tonnes in 2021 before climbing to a record 7.832 million tonnes in 2022.
REMA attributes the rise to several factors, including the increasing use of ozone-friendly refrigerants and cooling gases. Although these substances replaced ozone-depleting chemicals, they still contribute significantly to global warming.
According to the report, emissions from cooling technologies are increasing by approximately 12 percent each year.
The report also highlights Rwanda’s continued dependence on biomass for household energy needs.
Around 83 percent of households still rely on firewood and charcoal for cooking, making biomass one of the country’s largest contributors to carbon emissions and raising concerns about deforestation and environmental degradation.
Meanwhile, petroleum products used in transport and machinery account for 9.7 percent of emissions, while electricity generation contributes 1.3 percent.
Despite the rising emissions, Rwanda continues to pursue ambitious climate mitigation measures.
The government is investing in electric mobility solutions and promoting cleaner energy alternatives to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Rwanda has also set a target of reducing household reliance on firewood and charcoal to 42 percent by 2030.
These interventions form part of the country’s broader climate strategy, which aims to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 38 percent equivalent to approximately 4.6 million tonnes by 2030.
As Rwanda balances rapid economic growth with environmental sustainability, the report underscores the urgency of accelerating the transition to cleaner energy sources and strengthening climate action to meet its long-term emissions reduction targets.
