The findings are contained in the Rwanda First Biennial Report, which examines greenhouse gas emissions between 2006 and 2022. The report tracks four key greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and are covered under international climate agreements: carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Carbon dioxide emissions largely stem from human activities such as cooking with firewood and charcoal, which drives deforestation, as well as industrial processes and the use of petroleum-based fuels. Methane is primarily produced by livestock farming, decomposing organic waste, and oil extraction activities. Nitrous oxide emissions result mainly from agricultural fertiliser use, while hydrofluorocarbons are released from cooling equipment such as refrigerators and air conditioners.

To standardise measurement, all greenhouse gases are converted into carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e), allowing for consistent comparison despite differences in their atmospheric impact.

According to the report, emissions stood at 2.395 million tons in 2006 before rising to 4.017 million tons in 2010. Between 2011 and 2014, emissions stabilised at slightly above 3 million tons annually, reflecting a temporary decline.

However, emissions rose sharply in 2015, reaching 5.031 million tons. After a slight decline in 2016 and 2017, when levels remained just above 4 million tons, emissions increased again, reaching 5.314 million tons in 2018 and 6.731 million tons in 2019. In 2020, emissions slightly decreased to 6.434 million tons.

The upward trend resumed in subsequent years, with emissions reaching 7.095 million tons in 2021 and 7.832 million tons in 2022.

The report attributes the increase in emissions to several factors, including the growing use of ozone-friendly refrigerants and cooling gases, which, despite replacing ozone-depleting substances, still contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions from cooling technologies are estimated to be increasing by around 12% annually.

Another major driver is the country’s reliance on biomass for cooking energy, with approximately 83% of households using firewood and charcoal, both of which significantly contribute to carbon emissions. Petroleum products used in transport and machinery account for 9.7% of emissions, while electricity generation contributes 1.3%.

Despite the upward trend, the report highlights ongoing mitigation efforts. These include government initiatives to promote electric mobility and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Rwanda has also set a national target to reduce the use of firewood and charcoal to 42% by 2030. These measures are part of a broader climate strategy aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 38%, equivalent to approximately 4.6 million tons, by the year 2030.