Climate change adaptation is not just a response to environmental threats—it is a strategic investment in resilience, sustainability, and long-term prosperity. For Mauritius, proactive adaptation measures will be key to safeguarding people’s livelihoods, infrastructure, and ecosystems while ensuring continued economic growth in a changing climate.
Climate change adaptation refers to the measures taken to manage and adjust to the effects of climate change in order to reduce vulnerability, enhance resilience in various sectors and take advantage of potential opportunities. It involves implementing strategies, policies, and actions that enhance the resilience of ecosystems, economies, and communities to the consequences of climate change. Adaptation can be reactive (responding to existing climate impacts) or proactive (anticipating future climate risks). According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), adaptation is defined as:
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Implementing urgent adaptation measures in Mauritius is essential due to the significant impacts and costs of environmental degradation, including diseases linked to water and air pollution, crop losses from overused agricultural lands, and the lack of protection for vital natural resources like coastal areas. The country's environment and ecosystems heavily depend on the sustainable management of coastal zones. With challenges such as sea level rise, coral bleaching from climate change, and increased temperatures and evaporation rates, the need for adaptation measures becomes even more pressing. The 2015 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) introduced an initial set of adaptation strategies, which were updated in the 2021 NDCs following the 2021 revision of the National Climate Change Adaptation Policy Framework. The 2025 NDC 3.0 further strengthens these commitments by integrating nature-based solutions, blue carbon initiatives, and sectoral resilience measures to enhance national adaptation and accelerate the transition to a low-emission, climate-resilient economy. Mauritius is implementing a multi-sectoral approach to adaptation, integrating infrastructure resilience, ecosystem protection, and climate-smart agriculture into its national strategy. However, funding gaps and technical capacity constraints remain key challenges. The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) will further refine and expand adaptation efforts in alignment with the country's long-term resilience goals. Explore how Mauritius is adapting to climate change, covering:
By investing in adaptation today, Mauritius can secure a sustainable and climate-resilient future. | Importance of Climate Change AdaptationAdaptation is crucial for countries like Mauritius, which are highly vulnerable to climate change due to their small land area, economic dependence on climate-sensitive sectors (e.g., tourism, agriculture, and fisheries), and exposure to extreme weather events. Without adequate adaptation measures, climate change could lead to significant social, economic, and environmental disruptions. Reduces Vulnerability to Climate Risks
Safeguards Water, Food, and Energy Security
Protects Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Strengthens Economic Resilience
Enhances Disaster Preparedness and Response
Ensures Sustainable Development
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Reverse Chronology of Major Climate Change Adaptation for Mauritius
Mauritius has proactively developed several key actions to enhance its resilience to climate change. However, adaptation comes at a heavy cost, requiring significant financial resources, technological investments, and institutional capacity-building to protect vulnerable communities, ecosystems, and economic sectors from climate-related risks.
While Mauritius has made notable progress in climate adaptation, these efforts come at a heavy cost, requiring long-term financial commitment, international support, and strategic investments. Adaptation funding remains a critical challenge, as Mauritius must balance economic development with the escalating costs of climate resilience. Without adequate financial resources, the ability to protect coastal areas, ensure water security, and safeguard livelihoods could be severely compromised.
This reverse chronology highlights the country's commitment to adaptation while acknowledging the significant financial burden associated with building a climate-resilient Mauritius.
The Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) of the Republic of Mauritius (September 2025)
The NDC 3.0 strengthens resilience to climate impacts by prioritising ecosystem-based adaptation, sustainable water and coastal management, disaster risk reduction, and protection of agriculture, biodiversity, and health systems.
Updated NDC (2021)
The Updated NDC (2021) emphasises strengthening resilience through integrated water, agriculture, and coastal management, promoting ecosystem-based adaptation, enhancing disaster preparedness, and safeguarding livelihoods, biodiversity, and public health against climate-related risks.
Climate Change Act (2020):
- Established a legal framework to transform Mauritius into a climate-resilient and low-emission country.
- Defines the roles and responsibilities of key institutions in climate governance, ensuring policy coordination and implementation.
Initial Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) (28 Sept 2015):
The 2015 NDC prioritised climate resilience in key sectors such as water, agriculture, fisheries, and coastal management. It underscored the need for early warning systems, disaster risk reduction, infrastructure protection, and ecosystem-based approaches to safeguard livelihoods and biodiversity, recognising Mauritius’s vulnerability as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS)
Climate Change Adaptation Programme in the Coastal Zone of Mauritius (2012):
- Focused on coastal protection against beach erosion and flood risks in areas such as Mon Choisy, Riviere des Galets, and Quatre Soeurs.
- Implemented hybrid adaptation measures, including infrastructure reinforcements and ecosystem-based solutions.
- Despite its success, coastal adaptation requires substantial financial investment, making it one of the most expensive adaptation priorities for Mauritius.
National Climate Change Adaptation Policy Framework (2012):
- Developed to mainstream climate adaptation into national policies, focusing on water security, agriculture, biodiversity, tourism, and health.
- Provides a comprehensive approach to addressing climate change impacts through sector-specific adaptation strategies.
- However, implementing these adaptation measures requires significant financial and technical support, highlighting the high cost of resilience-building.
