Rwanda has published its updated Climate Action Plan, known also as the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, as it aims to build resilience, reduce emissions and manage climate risks.

The updated plan marks a step forward in Rwanda’s journey toward a carbon-neutral and climate-resilient economy, strengthening its commitments under the Paris Agreement while aligning with the country’s long-term Vision 2050.

Rwanda’s NDC 3.0 builds on the achievements of its previous NDC 2.0, extending the time horizon to 2035 and increasing ambition across all sectors. For the first time, the plan now includes Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) emissions and removals, making it an economy-wide plan that covers greenhouse gases from across the national inventory.

Under the new plan, Rwanda commits to reducing its net greenhouse gas emissions by up to 53% compared to a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario by 2035, equivalent to a reduction of 14.86 million tonnes of CO₂e. This includes a 7% unconditional reduction, financed domestically, and a 46% conditional reduction, dependent on international support and financing.

The plan identifies the energy, agriculture, and forestry sectors as the largest sources of potential emission reductions, while also introducing new targets for adaptation, loss and damage, and a strengthened measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) system to ensure transparency and accountability.

Full implementation of the plan will require 12 billion USD by 2035, with 60% allocated to adaptation and 40% to mitigation actions.

Minister of Environment, Dr Bernadette Arakwiye says “Rwanda’s new Climate Action Plan reflects our determination to act decisively on climate change for people, our economy, and our planet. With this NDC 3.0, we are building our adaptive capacity to deal with climate shocks, raising our ambition to reduce emissions and strengthening resilience for continued economic development.”

The development of NDC 3.0 was informed by a wide-ranging national consultation process, engaging stakeholders from across government, the private sector, civil society, academia, young Rwandans and international partners, ensuring the plan reflects Rwanda’s priorities, community needs, and sectoral realities.

“Rwanda’s NDC 3.0 is the result of an inclusive and evidence-based process that brought together policy makers, experts, civil society, the private sector, youth and development partners,”Juliet Kabera, Director General of Rwanda Environmental Management Authority(REMA) says.

She adds on “Rwanda builds on the foundation of NDC 2.0 and sets a clear path to 2035, with measurable targets and strengthened systems for tracking progress. Implementation will be key and it will require strong partnerships and continued commitment.”

A new Country Platform for Climate and Development will coordinate national efforts, investment pipelines and international partnerships to mobilise financing for the effective implementation of the NDC 3.0.

Government of Rwanda acknowledges partners

The Government of Rwanda expresses its sincere appreciation to the partners who supported the development of NDC 3.0, including: World Bank, UNDP, NDC Partnership, GGGI, German-Rwandan Bilateral Cooperation funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ, AFD, WRI, IFAD, ILO, CCAC, FAO, IOM, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women, WFP, and WHO.