Report reveals untapped business opportunities in environment sector

There are numerous opportunities that private investors can tap into in the environment sector, the State of Environment Report 2013 has said.The report, launched Thursday by Rwanda Environment Management Authority (Rema), says the opportunities are both small and large scale.The biannual report provides decision makers and stakeholders with information about the current state of the city’s environment and suggests responses in line with the City of Kigali master plan and details the state of the environment in the City, as well as the challenges and way forward.Speaking at the launch, Dr Rose Mukankomeje, the Rema director-general, said incentives are extended to people investing in green technology.“There is a provision to give incentives to people investing and promoting green technology. Previously we were doing it at a small scale, but government has put in place a fund for environment and climate change with several windows to bring the private sector on board,” she said.Dr Mukankomeje said government is encouraging the private sector investments through grants and loans. The environmental law also gives tax exemptions for investors into green environment projects. “Those bringing in green technology can receive relief through tax exemptions during imports of the goods now that green technology has been incorporated into the Second Economic and Poverty Reduction Strategy (running from 2013 to 2018). We are encouraging more private-public partnerships and giving the private sector audience and presenting them opportunities,” Dr Mukankomeje said.The opportunitiesAmong the opportunities the report says can be tapped for include treatment, collection, management and recycling of waste, especially of organic waste with about 50 per cent of the population in the city still lacking access to waste management services. City dwellers are also short of sewerage treatment services.Small scale water harvesting was also listed among the opportunities that are yet to be seized to promote sustainable environmental development and protection.“With better rain harvesting techniques, it will be cheaper for city dwellers to access clean water and also reduce the chances of hazards such as floods,” the Rema chief said.To raise awareness about environmental sustainability and encourage sustainable practice, Rema has put in place incentives and awards for best practices that organisations and districts can win.This is another of the opportunities that stakeholders in environmental conservation efforts have access to.Education sector has an opportunity to include environmental studies into it’s curriculum with stakeholders pledging support for students at various academic levels.The report also lists increase of green space as an opportunity open to developers around the city as well as renewable energy sources.Environment for educationThe City of Kigali mayor, Fidel Ndayisaba, urged developers and investors to consider putting money into environmental courses, saying they guarantee the future.“As we try to accelerate the country’s economic growth from the current average GDP from more than 8 per cent to 11.5 per cent annually to achieve a middle income status by 2020, private sector has a huge role and opportunity to build not only for now but for the future. The master plan of the city accommodates investments and developers and eases investments,” Ndayisaba said.The mayor added that the report was timely as the country was embarking on the second phase of economic development and poverty reduction strategy.“The report also recognises strides the City has made in upgrading amenities, especially of public utility infrastructure,” he said.On the list of commendable achievements is the instituting of urban planning for the city to achieve sustainable development, and a national land use and development master plan to promote better and sustainable land use.Leatita Busokeye, a member of the technical coordination team at Rema, said the report commended the City of Kigali for developing public transport systems by promoting the use of buses to reduce congestion and gas emissions.“The City master plan concept, like the green city initiative, was an achievement that has been successful in promoting environmentally-friendly practices,” Busokeye said.The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resource Caroline Kayonga pointed out the need to fill the gaps that pose threats to the environment.“As the report highlights, there are gaps and changes that need to be made to address challenges faced by the city. The most notable ones include liquid and solid waste management, air quality and provision of sustainable water and energy supply, “she said.Other challenges listed in the report are air quality, flooding and disasters and provision of green housing.

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Report reveals untapped business opportunities in environment sector