Eastern Province district leaders convene to advance Rwanda’s carbon credit initiative
Green Horizon Ventures, IUCN Rwanda, and the Rwanda Forestry Authority convened district leaders from the Eastern Province for a workshop focused on developing carbon credit mechanisms for the Voluntary Carbon Market. The one-day session aimed to bridge national climate policies with local implementation, highlighting the intersection of environmental conservation and economic development.
The workshop introduced participants to Rwanda’s National Carbon Credit Framework and how it aligns with the country’s broader climate resilience and green growth objectives. District officials gained insights into how carbon credits function as financial instruments that can support biodiversity conservation while creating sustainable revenue streams for local communities.
Presentations outlined how carbon credit projects under the COMBIO initiative could transform environmental stewardship into tangible economic benefits for Eastern Province communities. The feasibility study’s preliminary findings revealed promising opportunities for districts to participate in global carbon markets while advancing local development priorities.
A key focus of the gathering was defining how district officials will support carbon credit implementation. Participants discussed their critical roles in community engagement, data collection, and coordination with national authorities and project partners.
By the conclusion of the workshop, participants demonstrated enhanced understanding of how carbon credit mechanisms can simultaneously address climate challenges, protect biodiversity, and support local development goals. The session strengthened collaboration between district-level stakeholders, Green Horizon Ventures (GHV) IUCN, the Rwanda Forestry Authority, and other partners.
Feedback collected during the workshop will help refine implementation approaches and ensure alignment with district development plans and well as preparing more workshops in the same line.
As Rwanda continues to position itself as a leader in climate action across Africa, initiatives like this workshop demonstrate how national climate ambitions can be effectively translated into local action through education, collaboration, and shared responsibility
