Mauritius: A Climate Change Bill to better address effects of climate change is in the pipeline
A Climate Change Bill for Mauritius to better address effects of climate change in terms of adaptation and mitigation measures is in the pipeline, announced the Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development, Disaster and Beach Management, Mr. Jayeshwur Raj Dayal, yesterday, 30 March, at the opening of a workshop on the Development of the 2050 Pathways Calculator for Mauritius, held at the Intercontinental Resort, Balaclava.
The 2050 Pathways Calculator can outline, in minutes, months of work from technical experts. It was developed by the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change, to allow countries to answer the fundamental questions of how far emissions could be reduced and energy needs be met. So far the tool is being used in China, Belgium and South Korea.
The 2050 Pathways Calculator is very timely and opportune as it will help Mauritius devise feasible strategies, options and policies, and explore environmentally sound technologies to mitigate climate change, stated Minister Dayal.
According to him, this tool will also offer opportunities to consider measures for inclusion in the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). In line with the recent decisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, all countries are required to prepare and communicate their INDC to the Secretariat, he pointed out.
Mauritius, the Minister stressed, has to be fully prepared to adapt and mitigate impacts of climate change by using appropriate scientific and technological expertise allied to local knowledge. A continuing effort in monitoring and understanding climate change is essential for the formulation of effective adaptation and mitigation strategies that would safeguard hard-won progress, he added.
With regards to renewable energy, he announced the setting up of a Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency to promote the development of renewable energies. It will work out a package of incentives for small energy producers.
Government is aiming to raise the share of local renewable energy in the electricity generation mix to 35% or even higher by 2035. Consequently, as announced in Budget 2015-2016, Government will allow total investment in solar energy unit to be deductible from chargeable income to encourage households to have their own equipment.