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By Annonciata Byukusenge
These clones are part of advanced breeding programs commonly used in Africa and other tropical regions to enhance: Growth rate, Wood density, Resistance to pests/diseases, and Tolerance to drought or poor soils. This forest was planted on 10 ha in the North Province, Gicumbi district.
Rwanda is among the countries identified as being highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. However, despite the existing efforts to address this issue, the current strategies still need to be significantly strengthened to match the severity of the challenges posed by climate change.
Over the past 10 years, the intensity and effects of climate change have continued to increase, claiming lives across various parts of the country.
In particular, extreme weather events such as severe floods, droughts, landslides, declining agricultural yields, disease outbreaks, damage to infrastructure, and the shrinking of arable land have contributed to food insecurity and a reduction in agricultural exports.
Factors such as overreliance on rainfall for agriculture, the steep topography of the country, limited access to accurate weather information, and declining forest cover have been identified as key contributors to Rwanda’s heightened vulnerability to climate change impacts.
Data shows that Rwanda is among the countries most affected by climate change. According to the 2018 national report revealed that the Northern Province, specifically the Gicumbi District, was one of the most at-risk areas in the country.
Gicumbi District ranked second nationwide in terms of vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change. ASSESSMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE VULNERABILITY IN
Each clone has unique traits.
GU7 & GU8: Typically known for their vigorous growth and adaptability to a wide range of altitudes and soils.
GC550: Selected for high biomass production and straight stems, making it ideal for timber and energy plantations.
These clones are favored in reforestation and agroforestry programs for their short rotation cycles (as little as 5–7 years) and high carbon sequestration potential.
Innocent Ntawukirabizi is an environmental officer at the Green Gicumbi project. He says that those species contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
“Eucalyptus clones such as GU7, GU8, and GC550 contribute significantly to climate change mitigation in several ways, like High Carbon Sequestration, Restoration of Degraded Lands, Sustainable Wood Supply, and Energy and Efficiency Gains.”
1. High Carbon Sequestration
• Fast-growing eucalyptus trees absorb more CO₂ during photosynthesis compared to slower-growing native species.
• These clones can sequester up to 10–15 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare per year under optimal conditions.
• Their dense wood stores carbon for long periods, especially when used in durable products like construction materials.
2. Restoration of Degraded Lands
• When planted on deforested or degraded land, these trees:
o Rebuild soil organic matter
o Improve water retention
o Provide ground cover, preventing further degradation
This supports ecosystem regeneration and builds landscape-level resilience to climate impacts.
3. Sustainable Wood Supply
• Their use in fuelwood, poles, and construction timber reduces pressure on native forests.
• With high wood yield per hectare, fewer trees are needed to meet community needs, which indirectly reduces deforestation elsewhere.
4. Energy and Efficiency Gains
• The biomass from eucalyptus can be used in efficient cookstoves (as seen in Green Gicumbi), which:
o Reduce firewood consumption
o Lower greenhouse gas emissions
o Improve indoor air quality
5. Promotion of Green Jobs and Carbon Markets
• Planting and managing these eucalyptus clones support community forestry and carbon credit programs, allowing communities to earn income through carbon offset initiatives.
It was not only eucalyptus that was planted, because more than 2,050 hectares of forests were also rehabilitated using high-quality seedlings that are resilient to the impacts of climate change.
The Green Gicumbi Project operates in nine sectors of the Gicumbi District that are part of the Muvumba River catchment area. These sectors are Rubaya, Cyumba, Kaniga, Mukarange, Rushaki, Shangasha, Manyagiro, Byumba, and Bwisige.
The total project value the USD 32 million was provided by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to support the project, which is set to run for six years.
