Public institutions should adopt resource efficient and better waste management systems to reduce operational costs.

According to environmental experts, the initiative could help cut government expenditure and also ease the pressure on the environment.

Steven Niyonzima, the national co-ordinator for the Rwanda Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Centre, said the approach will promote green economy initiatives besides supporting the environment and helping to avoid wastage in public institutions.

Niyonzima was speaking during an awareness campaign to promote efficiency in consumption of resources in public institutions in Kigali last week.

The campaign was part of the activities to mark the World Environmental Day last week.

"Government spends a lot of money on water and energy bills because of unregulated and wasteful usage.

"It is, therefore, essential that officials in public institutions understand that efficiency and cleaner production is an economical and environmental tool that fosters sustainable development,” Niyonzima said.

Niyonzima said a strategy that will ensure proper energy audits and use of appropriate technologies is necessary to help public institutions minimise wasteful consumption.

Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) is a preventive environmental strategy that addresses low productivity and high pollution intensity of business institutions.

Chantal Umuraza, the project co-ordinator, said the programme is geared at raising awareness among public officials on how to embrace innovative technologies that can help reduce resource wastage.

"We are talking about reduction in inappropriate water usage; improved hygiene, and mechanisms aimed at reducing energy expenses in government offices,” she said.

Umuraza said a similar approach has helped some industrialists to save up to Rwf201 million on electricity bills in a period of two years.

She noted that the same could be achieved by public institutions if they embrace the strategy.

Call to protect the environment

Meanwhile, Dr Rose Mukankomeje, the Rwanda Environment Management Authority director general, called on stakeholders to support programmes like the Landscape Approach to Forest Restoration and Conservation, a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded project, aimed at restoring degraded areas.

The project supports efforts to restore the degraded Gishwati-Mukura landscape, boosting land management of the Gishwati and Mukura forests, as well as improving local livelihoods and the environment to ensure the area is ‘climate resilient’.

"We call upon everyone to support the implementation of this project as its success will benefit the local communities, the country and the world as a whole,” said Mukankomeje.

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