Climate Change Adaptation in Rwanda

Severe weather events, particularly droughts, have historically imposed heavy costs in Rwanda. The projected impacts of climate change may increase the frequency and compound the ramifications of these events, potentially undermining food security, health, and economic growth. In recognition of this fact, the Government of Rwanda and the donor community have initiated activities to determine vulnerability and adaptation priorities. However, a number of adaptation needs remain, including mainstreaming adaptation into the country’s long-term development framework, vulnerability assessments for critical sectors, and development of a national climate change strategy that clearly identifies priority sector and ecosystem vulnerabilities and means for addressing them. Accomplishing these challenges requires overcoming and addressing existing barriers regarding data availability and accessibility, as well as the limited capacity to conduct meteorological and hydrological analysis and forecasting.