Agriculture Sector
The Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Action Plan 2021-2030 outlines key mitigation strategies to promote sustainable agriculture while safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods.
The Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector in Mauritius primarily acts as a carbon sink, with net negative emissions recorded from 2000 to 2016. However, emissions from livestock and land use still contribute to the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint. Mauritius is taking proactive steps to reduce agricultural emissions while increasing carbon sequestration. By integrating smart farming, sustainable livestock management, and digital land planning, the country is moving towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient agricultural sector.
Key Mitigation Actions:
1. Climate-Smart Agriculture
- Adoption of smart farming practices such as natural farming systems and agroforestry.
- Promotion of efficient irrigation techniques to reduce water and energy consumption.
- Reduction of chemical fertilizer use, shifting towards organic alternatives.
2. Sustainable Livestock Management
- Implementation of standards for treated manure to lower methane (CH?) and nitrous oxide (N?O) emissions.
- Encouragement of small-scale livestock farming at the household level.
3. Increasing Carbon Sequestration in Agriculture
- Expansion of carbon sequestration initiatives through agroforestry and soil conservation.
- Development of mitigation-oriented small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the food value chain.
4. Digital Mapping and Land Use Planning
- Creation of a comprehensive digital database on land use and occupation in Mauritius.
- Introduction of a new legal framework for land use planning to integrate climate considerations into policy-making.
Forestry Sector
The Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Action Plan 2021-2030 outlines strategies to enhance forest cover, restore degraded ecosystems, and implement sustainable forest management.
Forests play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, but under the Business-as-Usual (BAU) scenario, their carbon absorption capacity in Mauritius is increasing only gradually. There is limited research on blue carbon, meaning the potential of mangroves and seagrasses to store carbon remains uncertain. Mauritius aims to enhance forest conservation, increase tree cover, and restore critical ecosystems to boost carbon sequestration and biodiversity. These actions align with the country’s commitments under the NDC and National Biodiversity Strategy while ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.
Key Mitigation Actions:
Increasing Forest Cover and Restoration
- Large-scale tree planting initiatives, including Rodrigues.
- Afforestation and reforestation of abandoned agricultural lands.
- Restoration of degraded forest ecosystems to improve biodiversity.
Protecting and Expanding Mangroves and Blue Carbon Ecosystems
- Plantation of mangroves to improve coastal resilience and carbon storage.
- Strengthening blue carbon research to evaluate the sequestration potential of marine ecosystems.
Strengthening Forest Protection Laws
- Implementation of a Forests and Reserves Bill to ensure sustainable forest conservation and management.
- Enforcement of existing regulations, including the Forests and Reserves Act (1983, amended 1986 & 2003) and the Native Terrestrial Biodiversity and National Parks Act (2015).
Public Awareness and Community Engagement
- Launch of a nationwide tree-planting programme, prioritizing watersheds and steep slopes.
- Community education on the importance of forest conservation and ecosystem services.
