Sweden and Rwanda to cooperate on emissions trading under the Paris Agreement
The Swedish Energy Agency and Rwanda's Ministry of the Environment have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on emissions trading under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The next steps are to agree on concrete emission reduction projects and sign a binding bilateral framework agreement.
Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, Rwanda´s Minister of Environment and Martina Fors Mohlin, chargé d’affaires at the Swedish embassy in Kigali. Photo: Basile Uwimana, Ministry of Environment
Sweden is an important partner to Rwanda, especially since development cooperation began after the genocide in 1994. Sweden's efforts in Rwanda are focused on human rights, democracy and equality, the environment and climate, as well as promoting more inclusive economic growth. The signing a Memorandum of Understanding on emissions trading under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement now adds another building block in the relationship between the two countries.
– This is a first step towards establishing projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the energy transition in Rwanda. There are also great opportunities to simultaneously improve the conditions for local populations and contribute to sustainable development in the country, says Sandra Lindström, head of the unit for international climate cooperation at the Swedish Energy Agency.
Combining economic growth with ambitious climate goals
The Memorandum of Understanding has been negotiated between the Swedish Energy Agency and Rwanda's Ministry of the Environment. The Swedish Embassy in Kigali has provided important support in the development of the agreement.
– Rwanda has shown that it is possible to combine economic growth with ambitious climate goals. Through its initiatives in sustainable energy and green development, Rwanda can become a source of inspiration for other countries, says Martina Fors Mohlin, chargé d'affaires at the Swedish embassy in Kigali.
The next step is to negotiate a legally binding bilateral framework agreement on emissions trading between the two countries. Sweden already has Memoranda of Understanding on climate cooperation under the rules of the Paris Agreement with Nepal, the Dominican Republic, Zambia and Switzerland. Sweden also has a legally binding bilateral framework agreement with Ghana, where Sweden’s first emission reduction project under Article 6 has already been procured.
