CCA: Climate Risks and Adaptation Needs

Impacts:

Adaptation Needs:

• Heat stress and health risks:

  1. Higher temperatures increase the incidence of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heatstroke, particularly among vulnerable populations (elderly, children, and outdoor workers).
  2. Rising temperatures worsen vector-borne diseases (e.g., dengue, chikungunya, malaria) by expanding mosquito breeding areas.

• Biodiversity loss:

  1. Warmer conditions disrupt ecosystems, leading to changes in species distribution and an increased risk of invasive species.
  2. Coral reefs, essential for marine biodiversity and coastal protection, are highly sensitive to temperature rise and are suffering from coral bleaching events.

• Increased energy demand:

  1. Rising temperatures lead to a higher demand for air conditioning and cooling systems, increasing energy consumption.
  2. This can strain the power grid, increase energy costs, and lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions if reliance on fossil fuels continues.

1. Implement heatwave action plans, including public awareness campaigns and cooling shelters.

2. Promote urban greening, including tree planting, green roofs, and shaded public spaces to mitigate the urban heat island effect.

3. Invest in energy-efficient cooling technologies and promote renewable energy solutions to meet increased energy demands sustainably.

4. Strengthen health surveillance systems for early detection and response to heat-related illnesses and vector-borne diseases.

Impacts:

Adaptation Needs:

• Droughts and water shortages:

  1. Reduced and unpredictable rainfall threatens water reservoirs, aquifers, and rivers, leading to water scarcity.
  2. Agriculture suffers from prolonged droughts, reducing crop yields and increasing food insecurity.

• Extreme rainfall events and flooding:

  1. Heavy rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems, leading to urban flooding, road damage, and soil erosion.
  2. Flash floods damage infrastructure, homes, and businesses, especially in low-lying areas.

• Soil erosion and degradation:

  1. Increased intensity of rainfall washes away fertile topsoil, affecting crop productivity.
  2. Land degradation leads to lower agricultural output and higher food prices.

1. Develop integrated water resource management (IWRM) strategies, including rainwater harvesting and improved water storage.

2. Upgrade drainage infrastructure in flood-prone areas to reduce urban flooding risks.

3. Promote climate-smart agriculture, including drought-resistant crops and soil conservation techniques.

4. Strengthen reforestation and afforestation efforts to combat soil erosion.

Impacts:

Adaptation Needs:

• Flooding of coastal settlements and infrastructure:

  1. Many homes, roads, and critical infrastructure are located along the coastline, making them vulnerable to storm surges and coastal flooding.
  2. Rising sea levels can render low-lying areas uninhabitable, leading to climate-induced displacement.

• Loss of beaches and tourism revenue:

  1. Coastal erosion threatens iconic beaches and lagoons, which are key attractions for Mauritius’ tourism sector.
  2. Loss of beaches leads to a decline in tourism revenue and economic instability.

• Impact on fisheries and marine ecosystems:

  1. Disruption of fish breeding areas due to salinization and habitat loss affects fisheries, an important livelihood for many coastal communities.
  2. Coral reef degradation, exacerbated by warmer waters and acidification, weakens natural coastal protection against storm surges.

1. Implement coastal protection measures, including seawalls, rock revetments, and beach nourishment projects.

2. Strengthen mangrove and coral reef conservation efforts to enhance natural coastal defense.

3. Enforce sustainable coastal zone management policies, preventing unregulated development in high-risk areas.

4. Encourage nature-based solutions, such as restoring sand dunes and implementing living shorelines.

Impacts:

Adaptation Needs:

• Decreased freshwater availability:

  1. Saltwater contamination of groundwater sources reduces the availability of drinking water.
  2. Increased salinity affects agriculture, leading to crop failure in coastal regions.

• Economic impact on agriculture:

  1. Salinisation affects the productivity of key crops such as sugarcane, vegetables, and fruits.
  2. Farmers incur higher costs to adapt, including investing in desalination or alternative irrigation sources.

1. Promote desalination plants and wastewater recycling to enhance freshwater availability.

2. Develop salt-tolerant crop varieties for coastal agriculture.

3. Establish buffer zones with mangroves and wetlands to slow saltwater intrusion.

4. Strengthen groundwater management to prevent over-extraction.

Impacts:

Adaptation Needs:

• Infrastructure damage:

  1. High winds and storm surges destroy homes, roads, and public infrastructure.
  2. Power outages disrupt essential services such as hospitals, communications, and transportation.

• Loss of human lives and livelihoods:

  1. Disruptions to fisheries, agriculture, and tourism lead to economic instability.
  2. More intense cyclones increase the risk of displacement and food insecurity.

• Increased landslides and soil instability:

  1. Heavy rainfall triggers landslides in hilly and mountainous regions, damaging infrastructure and agricultural land.

1. Strengthen disaster preparedness and response systems, including early warning systems.

2. Enforce climate-resilient building codes to ensure structures can withstand extreme weather.

3. Develop emergency evacuation plans and train local communities on disaster risk reduction.

4. Implement ecosystem-based adaptation measures, such as reforestation on steep slopes to reduce landslide risks.