The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change have launched an awareness campaign to sensitize the citizens of Mauritius on the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). In this context, a workshop was held on 15 October in Port Louis to inform youth leaders and artists about the NDCs, which were reviewed through a series of consultations supported by the UNDP under the Climate Promise initiative and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD). Participants included representatives of the UNDP and the Ministry of Environment, officers from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Recreation, officers from the Ministry of Arts and Culture, climate change consultants from PwC India and other youth representatives. 

Representing the Ministry of Environment, Ms Anita Kawol, opened the workshop by explaining that the Government aims to support global climate action through the NDCs, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen resilience to the adverse impacts of climate change.  “The main objective of the updated NDCs is to achieve 40% greenhouse gas emission reduction by 2030”, she added. Ms Kawol also highlighted the urgent need for inclusive and more ambitious climate action locally, reporting an average temperature rise of 1.39 degrees Celsius in Mauritius. 

Mr Madookur Desha, Project Coordinator at UNDP, informed the audience how UNDP has facilitated dialogue between the Government, stakeholders of the environment and the civil society. He introduced the Mission 1.5 educational game which allows players to cast their votes for climate actions they think should be taken by policymakers. 

Climate change consultants from PwC India reported that Mauritius ranked 53^rd out of 181 high disaster risk-countries and climate risks including an increase of 8mm in sea level noted around Port Louis between 2011 and 2020. They presented the key findings of the NDC review process which started in July 2020 and the different adaptation and mitigation measures approved by cabinet. 

The presentation was followed by a Q&A session during which participants actively discussed initiatives implemented by youth organizations and the ministry through which young citizens can participate in local climate action. Activities include greening of existing infrastructures across the island, training on conservation of endangered species, training on disaster management and clean-up campaigns. 

More workshops, both virtual and physical, are scheduled in the coming weeks with the National Cooperative College, the National Women Council and the Ministry of Gender Equality, the Mauritius Institute of Education and the Ministry of Local Government.