Jonathan Kay Christian – Comparative Compliance to International Commitments Task

No. Indicators France Rwanda Canada Sweden Spain Chile

1.1 Poverty +1 0
7.1 Energy 0 0
13.1 Climate Change +1 -1

1. Inclusivity Growth & Poverty

a. France (+1)
France is considered as a developed country, and has a capability in
lowering or reducing inequalities in its citizen. In 2020, France remains one of
the European countries with the lowest poverty levels. However, the poverty
rate in France reached a percentage of 14% in 2018.
In the early 2020, the French government established an approach
which include work training for work, for school leavers under 18.1 In
Macron’s administration, the policies that are established to overcome
inequality and poverty namely, equality of opportunity, guaranteed training
path for all young people, accessible, equitable and incentive-based social
rights.
According to French President Emmanuel Macron, a social support
program for unemployed young people has been formed, which would provide
them with a monthly income of 500 euros (US$579) tied to training. As part of
a new initiative to increase young employment, the program will be offered to
all jobless people under the age of 26 starting March 1, 2022.2 A compensation
will be increased to 25% of monthly wage for each year of service (10 percent
previously). 3 The poverty rate was reduced to 8% in 2022 as a result of the
programs.

b. Rwanda (0)
Rwandan government orientations are namely improved agriculture
production; increased agribusiness activity; increased farm wage employment;
increases in the preponderance of non-farm wages; increases in income
transfers; slowing population growth; and improvements in physical
infrastructure.4

1
“France's Macron Unveils Plan to Combat Poverty,” AP NEWS (Associated Press, September 13, 2018),
https://apnews.com/article/01ff912a68cf4016972c251566902fc5.
2
“Macron Offers 500 Euros per Month to Fight Youth Unemployment,” Anadolu Ajansı, accessed May 30,
2022, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/macron-offers-500-euros-per-month-to-fight-youth-
unemployment/2410298.
3
Simmons & Simmons, accessed May 30, 2022,
https://www.simmons-simmons.com/en/publications/ck0bgmohw7jak0b94ftvfsjsz/010917-the-five-macron-
reforms-unveiled-a-major-reform-of-labour-law-in-france.
Jonathan Kay Christian – Comparative Compliance to International Commitments Task

Other elements that influence poverty reduction include land and

financial asset distribution. Rwanda's economy improved substantially in 2021
(EDPRS-2), and this trend is likely to continue in 2022, thanks to increased
immunization efforts. The government is also stabilizing assets, incomes, and
capacities among the poorest households in order to alleviate poverty.
Financial inclusion is a goal of SACCOs (Savings and Credits Cooperatives).
SACCOs have grown in popularity in rural locations where large commercial
banks are frequently unavailable. According to the Rwandan Cooperative
Agency, these SACCOs are focused on increasing rural savings and providing
Rwandans with loans to assist them improve their long-term lives. Rwanda's
population is expected to drop to 41,9% by 2020 (poverty rate).

2. Energy
a. France (0)
In France, the Energy Transformation and Green Growth Act aims for
renewable energy with 32% final energy consumption and 40% final
electricity consumption by 2030. There is also a newly established Climate
and Resilience law (in August 22, 2021), aimed at building a legitimate carbon
economy and addressing renewable energy sources. France also relies on
renewable heating and cooling heat pumps and geothermal energy, as well as
onshore wind energy. The main renewable resources in France are solid
biomass (38.3%), renewable hydropower (20.2%), biofuels (9.9%), wind
power (8.8%) and heat pumps (8.7%).
To support the energy transformation process, France has decided to
reduce its share of nuclear power in the electricity mix. Therefore, the law
passed in 2015 was to limit the installed nuclear capacity (currently 63.2 GW).
Renewable energy occupies a growing share of the country's energy mix,
targeting 25.3% of France's total final energy consumption in 2022. It has
developed a proposal to achieve carbon neutrality in the 2050, based on the
three pillars of drinking, efficiency and renewable energy.
b. Rwanda (-1)
Rwanda's economy and growth ambitions are heavily reliant on
energy. Housing and urbanization, manufacturing, and agricultural processing
are all supported by it. As a result, fulfilling the country's national goals
requires a well-functioning, efficient energy industry. The Energy Sector
Strategic Plan (ESSP) plays a critical role in achieving this goal. The ESSP
will guarantee that the National Strategy for Transformation (strategic strategy
2017-2024) aims for the energy sector are met, as well as oversee the
4
“One Million out of Poverty in Rwanda,” ifc.org, accessed May 30, 2022,
https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/news_ext_content/ifc_external_corporate_site/news+and+events/
news/one_million_out_of_poverty_in
Jonathan Kay Christian – Comparative Compliance to International Commitments Task

implementation of the National Energy Policy (REP). As a result, the ESSP

acts as a blueprint for translating policy objectives and ideals into tangible
actions.
This strategy calls for the use of bio-products, which are fuels made
from biological elements like wood and charcoal, as well as biogas, which is
made from waste. Biomass is mostly utilized for cooking, with rural people
using wood and urban ones using charcoal. The creation of the Biomass
Energy Strategy is informing the biomass subsector (2018). This paper
examines biomass supply and demand and proposes a plan for reducing
dependency on wood and charcoal.5
3. Climate Change
a. France (+1)
The French government has launched a slew of initiatives, particularly
in response to climate change. The government has set aside over €30 billion
for a "green transition" that would include sustainable environmental mobility,
industry decarbonization, and green technologies such as hydrogen, biofuels,
and recycling.
Aside from that, in July 2021, the government passed the Law on
Energy and Climate, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 as part
of its commitment to the 2015 Paris Agreement. 6The new EU R2 billion
hydrogen plan proposed by France might hasten the adoption of
decarbonization solutions in emissions-intensive industries and transportation.
7

The French court, also ordered the French government to take all
necessary measures to repair ecological damage that was caused by carbon
emissions by end-December 2022 at the latest. The court ruled that the
government must respect its commitment to reducing French greenhouse gas
emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to 1990, but it did not impose fines or
penalties to enforce its ruling.
b. Rwanda (0)
By including environmental and climate change subjects into general
school and university curricula8, the new policy will assist Rwanda in putting
environmental and climate change at the center of decision-making throughout
the governmental and business sectors, as well as civil society.
5
“Ministry of Infrastructure,” accessed May 30, 2022,
https://www.reg.rw/fileadmin/user_upload/Final_ESSP.pdf.
6
Franceand Cool Coalition, “France,” Climate & Clean Air Coalition, January 1, 1970,
https://www.ccacoalition.org/en/partners/france .
7
“France - Climate Transparency,” France - Climate transparency, accessed May 30, 2022,
https://www.climate-transparency.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/France-CT-2020-WEB.pdf.
8
“Rwanda Introduces New Environment and Climate Change Policy,” MOE, accessed May 30, 2022,
https://www.environment.gov.rw/news-detail/rwanda-introduces-new-environment-and-climate-change-
policy-1.
Jonathan Kay Christian – Comparative Compliance to International Commitments Task

Improving energy efficiency in industrial operations, implementing car

emission requirements, rolling out electric vehicles, and boosting on-farm
biogas usage are some of the efforts that have been implemented. 9 Rain-fed
agriculture, reliance on hydropower for half of national electricity output, and
efforts to conserve natural ecosystems and biodiversity are all examples of
this.10

9
Chloé Farand, “Rwanda Submits Tougher Emission-Cutting Plan to the UN,” Climate Home News (Climate
Home, May 22, 2020), https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/05/21/rwanda-submits-tougher-emission-
cutting-plan-un/.
10
“Republic of Rwanda - Green Growth and Climate Resilience: National Strategy for Climate Change and Low
Carbon Development - United Nations Partnerships for Sdgs Platform,” United Nations (United Nations),
accessed May 30, 2022, https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/partnership/?p=2253.