COP30 Focus: Mauritius’s 10-Year GHG Emissions Rise 0.13% Despite Green Initiatives

Mauritius is under pressure to adopt “more ambitious measures” to curb its carbon footprint after figures revealed the nation’s per capita emissions significantly exceed the world average.The island nation’s emissions rate stands at 6.2 tonnes of CO2 per person as of 2023, placing it 48th globally. This figure is starkly higher than the worldwide average of 4.7 tonnes of CO2 per person, according to data reported from the Global Carbon Atlas.

Urgency for Substantial Reductions

Experts insist that Mauritius must adopt more ambitious measures to achieve “substantial reductions” in its carbon footprint. The scrutiny comes as the global community prepares for the Conference of the Parties (COP) 30, where the monitoring and reduction of climate change-driving greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are deemed “essential.” Recent data from the Global Carbon Project shows these emissions are reaching record levels.

• Global Commitments: Assessing and managing the carbon footprint is crucial for the nation to meet its commitments under the conference, including the goal of carbon neutrality and maintaining the global warming limit of 1.5°C.
• National Snapshot: In 2022, Mauritius’s fossil CO2 emissions were approximately 4.28 million tonnes, resulting in a per capita footprint of about 3.36 tonnes. The most recent measurement in 2023 was 4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (Mt), remaining unchanged from 2022.

Sources of Emissions and Challenges

Mauritius’s carbon footprint is primarily driven by CO2 emissions from energy production, transport, power plants, and vehicle use.

• Fossil Fuel Dependency: The nation’s significant reliance on imported fossil fuels—including coal, fuel oil, and diesel—for approximately 80% of its primary energy is a major contributor to its greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in the transport and electricity generation sectors.
• Waste Management: Emissions of methane from landfills due to waste management practices remain an important factor, despite the introduction of relevant policies in 2005.
• Limited Impact: Over the past decade, Mauritius has seen a slight increase in total GHG emissions, with an annual variation of 0.13%. This trend suggests that the overall effect of efforts, such as renewable energy initiatives launched in 2010, has been “limited.”

National Efforts and International Context

Despite the challenges, the government is pursuing several initiatives to mitigate its impact, though its contribution to global emissions is modest.

• Mitigation Goals: The country is striving to reduce its footprint through updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which include a target of 60% renewable energy by 2030, the phasing out of coal, and the promotion of electric vehicles.
• Urban Development: Initiatives such as the launch of smart city projects in 2015 demonstrate a commitment to minimising the carbon footprint.
• Global Share: Given its small population of just 1.3 million, Mauritius’s overall contribution to global emissions is relatively small at 0.0116%. However, its disproportionately high per capita figure highlights the urgent need to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and improve waste management practices to meet international climate goals.

Wider Climate Threat to Small Island States

The climate crisis poses a severe threat to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Mauritius. These regions face:

• Rising sea levels.
• Scarcity of freshwater resources.
• Devastating cyclones and typhoons.

These threats put lives and economies at serious risk. International discussions are currently focused on the responsibility for financing both the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, alongside the equitable distribution of responsibility for its impacts.

Digital Footprint of Climate Talks

Ironically, the United Nations COP websites themselves generate significantly higher carbon emissions than traditional webpages. An increase of over 13,000% in their emissions has been recorded since 1995.

• Heavy Use: A study by the University of Edinburgh found that COP websites now emit about 2.4 grams of carbon per visit, compared to 0.36 grams for typical websites, primarily due to multimedia content like live streams and interactive tools.
• The Cost of Engagement: Global internet use currently contributes to nearly 3% of worldwide GHG emissions, underscoring the substantial environmental cost of the online platforms supporting climate action. Researchers are calling for institutions to acknowledge and address the environmental impact of their digital presence.

Source: l’Express