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Policies, measures and actions on climate change and
environmental protection in the context of COVID-19 recovery.

Mauritius

Last update 25 Aug. 2020

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Response
Emergency measures in the short term (a few months to one year) to address concerns that have directly emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic and may include forced action.
Recovery
Socioeconomic measures in the medium term (one to a few years) with an environmental and climate focus to “build back better” from COVID-19, and usually involves planned, intentional action.
Redesign
Paradigm shifts and measures in the long term (more than a few years to a few decades) toward redesigning current socioeconomic and sociocultural systems to be sustainable and resilient.

1.Climate mitigation measures

  • Mauritius is implementing the ‘Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA) for Low Carbon Island Development Strategy for Mauritius’ project (2017 – 2021), funded by Global Environment Facility to the tune of USD 1.6 million. The objective of the project is to ensure a low carbon path for Mauritius, by establishing the national capacity for formulating and prioritising mitigation actions in line with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and further develop the local capability to design and implement mitigation actions in the energy sector. The project would culminate in the formulation of a National Climate Change Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan.
    Contact Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change
  • In the 2020-2021 budget, Government has introduced the following schemes to encourage the use of renewable energy:
    (a) A Medium-Scale Distributed Generation (MSDG) Scheme, for a maximum of 10 MW, to enable beneficiaries to produce electricity for their own consumption and sell the excess to CEB; and
    (b) Installation of 25 MW of rooftop solar PV to cater for public and residential buildings.
    Contact Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities (Central Electricity Borad)
  • The Metro Express Project is the most ambitious transport infrastructure project ever implemented in Mauritius. Since the Metro is solely powered by electricity, it is significantly contributing in lowering carbon emission for each kilometer travelled. The light rail service aims to provide a more reliable, affordable, sustainable and alternative mode of transport which would also reduce traffic congestion and hence carbon emission caused by stagnant vehicles. Government is also promoting low-carbon Electric Public Bus Transport in Mauritius. Solar powered electric buses would be deployed on a pilot basis and upscaled throughout the whole island using GCF funding.

2.Climate adaptation measures

  • Some USD 50 M have been allocated to the National Environment Fund under the current national budget to support measures such as construction of drains and flood managament, coastal protection and rehabilitation, landslide managment, disater risk reduction and management, solid waste mangement and the circular economy sectors.
    Contact Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change
  • In view to strenghten the climate change and health sector nexus, Mauritius is finalising the proposed project with the collaboration of WHO to tap funds from the GCF Readiness support (USD 425,000), with the aim to: (i) advance climate change and health policy coherence by providing evidence on the links between climate change and health; and (ii) strengthen national technical and institutional capacity to build resilience and reduce the health risks of climate change in Mauritius.
    Contact Ministry of Health and Wellness
  • Mauritius have set up a National Vulnerability Assessment committee (NVAC), with the assistance of the SADC Regional Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis Programme (RVAA). The purpose of the VAA system will be to monitor the capacity of Mauritius to deal with external hazards and critical elements such as early warning systems, meteorological forecasting and crop projections, and disaster risk reduction, amongst others. The objective of this programme is to enhance capacity in the agricultural and the food security sectors.
    Contact Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change
  • Mauritius has initiated the preparation of its National Adaptation Plan which will include sectors such as coastal zone infrastructure, agriculture and fisheries. Investment is also continuing in water sector, coastal zone, land drainage, and disaster risk reduction and management. This project will have the support of the GCF for the sum of USD 2.5 million.
    Contact Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change

3.Cross-cutting measures

  • A Covid 19 Bill has been promulgated, which include amendment to the Environment Protection Act 2002 (EPA) to extend the prescribed time for processing of the Environment Impact Assessment during curfew situations namely to allow for 30 days after the curfew to undertake mandatory actions.
    Contact Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change
  • Following the lockdown and curfew order which was in force in Mauritius (from 20 March 2020 to 30 May 2020) due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government distributed basic food commodities to a total of 35,000 households enlisted on the Social Register of Mauritius including persons with disabilities, receiving the Carers’ Allowance and residents of Homes.
    Contact Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions
  • The Bank of Mauritius has reduced the repo rate by 200 basis points and has also set a fund to support banks. The Wage Assistance Scheme (WAS) and the Self Employment Assistance Scheme (EAS) has also provide support to the business community.
    Contact Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development

4.Other environmental measures

  • Waste management and Circular economy / sustainable production and consumption

    The Government is promoting the Circular Economy model. The budget 2020-2021 is promoting the Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle and Recover. Eco-bins will be made available at strategic places across the island for the collection of plastic wastes. The budget provide for the setting up a network of Civic Amenity Centres (CAC) (déchetteries) at the 5 Transfer Stations. The Ministry of Environment will encourage segregation of waste at source. Local Authorities will carry out composting of market waste. A feasibility study will be conducted on the construction and operation of sorting units on a public private partnership basis.
    Contact Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change

5.International Cooperation

  • The European Union contributed MUR 11.3 million to the Covid-2019 Solidarity Fund which has been created to contribute to the financing of projects, programmes and schemes related to the COVID-19 virus and other related public health issues.
    Contact Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development

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