The article titled “A Sweet Solution for Adapting to Climate Change” from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) highlights a successful initiative in Rwanda that combines environmental restoration with sustainable livelihoods.

In Rwanda’s Ngororero and Kirehe districts, farmers like Antoine Nsanzumuhire have transitioned from traditional agriculture to beekeeping, a practice less susceptible to climate-induced challenges such as erratic rainfall and soil erosion. Supported by UNEP and the Rwanda Environment Management Authority, with funding from the Global Environment Facility, these farmers have adopted modern beekeeping techniques and engaged in extensive tree planting. The newly planted forests not only provide forage for bees but also stabilize the soil, reduce the risk of floods and landslides, and sequester carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change mitigation.

This approach exemplifies ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA), which leverages natural systems to address climate challenges while enhancing biodiversity and supporting local economies. The initiative has restored over 700 hectares of degraded land, encompassing forests, wetlands, savannahs, and riverbanks. Moreover, it has empowered communities, particularly women, by creating inclusive beekeeping cooperatives that offer economic opportunities and foster social cohesion.

Mirey Atallah, Head of UNEP’s Adaptation and Resilience Branch, emphasizes the multifaceted benefits of EbA: “It cools the land, restores biodiversity, reduces floods, and puts money in people’s pockets.”

Source: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)