Organic Law 4/2005 determining the modalities of protection, conservation and promotion of environment in Rwanda

This law gives effect to The National Policy on Environment, which sets out how to protect, conserve and promote the environment. It defines the responsibilities of citizen and state and defines principles for using natural resources, such as air and water, protecting biodiversity etc. It orders an environmental impact assessment.

Article 27 states that 'the use of substances that pollute the atmosphere…, that deplete the ozone layer or that may cause climatic changes is governed by an order of the Minister having environment in his or her attributions.'

The National Policy includes suggested policy statements on several areas, which can be used as an entry point for more elaborated policies. The Policy Statement on Atmosphere, Climate and Disasters declares two objectives: to help establish a framework for early warning and management of natural and/or human-made disasters; and to help establish a policy and legislation to monitor regularly climatic change and reduce to a strict minimum substances that pollute the atmosphere.

The law provides for the establishment of a National Fund for Environment (FONERWA).