Rwanda Urged to Embed Agroecology, Animal Welfare in Climate Policy
A coalition of over 78 civil society organizations has taken a significant step toward strengthening the resilience of Rwanda’s food systems and climate policies by convening a high-level national stakeholder workshop focused on integrating agroecology and animal welfare into the country’s third Nationally Determined Contribution, NDC 3.0.
The forum held today in Kigali, brought together representatives from the Government of Rwanda, civil society organizations, academia, and international partners. Organized by the Rwanda Climate Change and Development Network, RCCDN, in partnership with World Animal Protection and the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa, AFSA, the forum aimed to generate policy proposals that align sustainable agriculture and humane livestock practices with Rwanda’s climate adaptation goals under the Paris Agreement.
“We are at a defining moment where climate policy must speak to the realities of smallholder farmers and the animals that sustain their livelihoods. Agroecology and animal welfare are no longer fringe ideas, they are central to building a climate-resilient, inclusive, and ethical development model. While Africa contributes less than 4% of global greenhouse gases and Rwanda’s share is approximately 0.01%, making us minimal contributors to the cause of climate change, we are acutely experiencing its serious effects, emphasizing the critical need for adaptation strategies like agroecology and animal protection to ensure sustainable and safe food production,” said Faustin Vuningoma, the RCCDN Coordinator.
The workshop spotlighted how agroecology an approach to farming that works with nature rather than against it can reduce chemical inputs, improve soil health, enhance food sovereignty, and boost community resilience. Animal welfare, particularly in sustainable livestock systems, was presented as a critical yet often overlooked pillar for reducing environmental degradation and preventing zoonotic disease risks.