This chronology highlights Mauritius' proactive approach to addressing climate change at all levels, reflecting its vulnerability as a small island developing state and its commitment to global climate action.
Click on the links for additional information
YEAR | National | Regional | International | Major World Events and Remarks |
1896 | Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius hypothesizes that CO? emissions from burning fossil fuels could cause global warming. | |||
1958 | Charles Keeling begins measuring atmospheric CO? levels, providing clear evidence of rising concentrations. | |||
| 1972 | United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, 5-16 June 1972, Stockholm | |||
1979 | First World Climate Conference (WCC-1) recognizes climate change as a global issue. | |||
1987 | The Montreal Protocol is adopted to phase out ozone-depleting substances, indirectly helping climate change efforts. | |||
| 1988 | The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is established by the UN to assess climate science by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). | |||
| 1989 | Growing international awareness of climate change, leading to calls for a global framework to address greenhouse gas emissions. | |||
| 1990 | IPCC First Assessment Report (FAR) released, concluding that climate change is a real threat and recommending global efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. This report helped lay the groundwork for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992. | |||
| 1991 | Preparations for the Earth Summit (1992) intensified, with discussions on climate change and sustainable development. | |||
| 1992 | Mauritius was one of the first countries to ratify the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) | Earth Summit (3-14 June ; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) UNFCCC Established at the Earth Summit (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), based on IPCC's First Assessment Report. | ||
| 1993 | Countries began ratifying the UNFCCC, which was adopted in 1992. Early discussions on implementation. | |||
| 1994 | UNFCCC entered into force on 21 March 1994 | |||
| 1995 | COP1 (28 Mar - 7 Apr 1995; Berlin, Germany) IPCC Second Assessment Report (SAR), which provided strong evidence of human-caused climate change and influenced the Kyoto Protocol negotiations. | |||
| 1996 | COP2 (8 - 19 Jul 1996; Geneva, Switzerland) emphasized the need for stronger commitments to reduce emissions. | |||
| 1997 | COP3 (1 - 11 Dec 1997; Kyoto, Japan) 19th Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise | |||
| 1998 | COP4 (2 - 13 Nov 1998; Buenos Aires, Argentina) focused on the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol and mechanisms for compliance. | |||
| 1999 | Initial National Communication (INC) | COP5 (25 Oct - 5 Nov 1999; Bonn, Germany) | ||
| 2000 | COP6 (13 - 25 Nov 2000; The Hague, Netherlands) addressed unresolved issues from Kyoto, such as carbon trading and sinks. Millennium Summit, 6-8 September 2000, New York | |||
| 2001 | COP6 bis (16 - 27 Jul 2001; Bonn, Germany) and COP7 (29 Oct - 9 Nov 2001; Marrakech, Morocco) finalized the Marrakech Accords, detailing Kyoto Protocol rules. Third Assessment Report (TAR) introduced the concept of "climate system inertia," emphasizing the long-term effects of greenhouse gases. | |||
| 2002 | COP8 (23 Oct - 1 Nov 2002; New Delhi, India) emphasized adaptation and sustainable development. World Summit on Sustainable Development, 26 August-4 September 2002, Johannesburg | |||
| 2003 | COP9 (1 - 12 Dec 2003; Milan, Italy) focused on carbon sinks and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). | |||
| 2004 | TECHNOLOGY NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF CAPACITIES FOR CLIMATE CHANGE ACTIVITIESt, Dec 2014 | COP10 (6 - 17 Dec 2004; Buenos Aires, Argentina) | ||
| 2005 | Mauritius Strategy for Implementation (MSI): Following the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA), Mauritius adopted the MSI to address sustainable development challenges, including climate change, for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). | COP11 (28 Nov - 9 Dec 2005; Montreal, Canada) The Kyoto Protocol enters into force. | ||
| 2006 | COP12 (6 - 17 Nov 2006; Nairobi, Kenya) highlighted adaptation funding and the Nairobi Work Programme. | |||
| 2007 | Outline of Energy Policy 2007-2025 | COP13 (3 - 14 Dec 2007; Bali, Indonesia) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) stated unequivocally that climate change is "very likely" human-caused. This report earned the IPCC the Nobel Peace Prize (shared with Al Gore). | ||
| 2008 | COP14 (1 - 12 Dec 2008; Pozna, Poland) laid the groundwork for the Copenhagen Accord (2009). High-level meeting on the Millennium Development Goals, 22-25 September 2008, New York | |||
| 2009 | Long-Term Energy Strategy 2009 – 2025 | COP15 (7 - 18 Dec 2009; Copenhagen, Denmark) Copenhagen Accord (COP15) highlighted climate finance and emission pledges but failed to produce a binding agreement. The Copenhagen Accord recognizes the need to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C. | ||
| 2010 | Second National Communication (SNC); National Inventory Report (NIR) 2000 – 2006 (Nov 2010) | COP16 (29 Nov - 10 Dec 2010; Cancun, Mexico) established the Green Climate Fund and the Cancun Agreements. Millennium Development Goals Summit, September 20-22, 2010, New York | ||
| 2011 | Mauritius State of Environment and Outlook Report | COP17 (28 Nov - 11 Dec 2011; Durban, South Africa) launched the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action, aiming for a new global agreement by 2015. | ||
| 2012 | National Climate Change Adaptation Policy Framework for Republic of Mauritius Dec 2012. Mauritius developed this framework to address climate change impacts, focusing on adaptation strategies for key sectors like agriculture, water resources, coastal zones, and health. TECHNOLOGY NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION (June 2012) TNA Report I (July 2012) | COP18 (26 Nov - 8 Dec 2012; Doha, Qatar) United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, 20-22 June 2012, Rio de Janeiro | ||
| 2013 | The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre (NDRRMC) was established in August 2013 by Cabinet decision. TNA Report (Aug 2013) II, III & IV TNA Report (Aug 2013) Energy Industries II, III & IV Mauritius Ocean Economy Roadmap: This roadmap integrates climate resilience into the development of the ocean economy, including sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, and renewable energy. | COP19 (11 - 23 Nov 2013; Warsaw, Poland) President of the General Assembly's Special Event towards Achieving the Millennium Development Goals, 25 September 2013, New York | ||
| 2014 | COP20 (1 - 12 Dec 2014; Lima, Peru) drafted the Lima Call for Climate Action, setting the stage for the Paris Agreement. Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) emphasized the urgency of climate action, stating that limiting warming to 2°C above pre-industrial levels requires rapid emissions cuts. | |||
| 2015 | Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency (MARENA): MARENA was created to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, reducing the country's reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. | Initial Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) (28 Sept 2015) : Submitted under the Paris Agreement, Mauritius committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030, focusing on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable land use. | COP21 (30 Nov - 12 Dec 2015; Paris, France) Paris Agreement adopted at COP21, aiming to keep global warming well below 2°C, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. Paris Agreement 12 Dec 2015; NDCs United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development, 25-27 September 2015, New York | |
| 2016 | Capacity Development on Climate Change Measures- JICA (June 2016) | Third National Communication Oct 2016 (Annexes, Toolkits, Awareness materials, CB materials, etc) | COP22 (7 - 18 Nov 2016; Marrakech, Morocco) focused on implementing the Paris Agreement and advancing climate finance. | |
| 2017 | National Inventory Report Aug 2017 | COP23 (6 - 17 Nov 2017; Bonn, Germany) | ||
| 2018 | COP24 (2 - 14 Dec 2018; Katowice, Poland) finalized the Paris Agreement rulebook, including transparency and reporting guidelines. IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C (SR15) warns of severe climate impacts if warming exceeds this threshold and emphasized the need for urgent emissions reductions by 2030 to avoid catastrophic impacts. | |||
| 2019 | Renewable Energy Strategic Plan (RESP) 2018-2023 Renewable Energy Roadmap for the Electricity Sector |
| COP25 (2 - 13 Dec 2019; Madrid, Spain) addressed unresolved issues from Paris, such as carbon markets and loss and damage. | |
| 2020 | A 10 Year Electric Vehicle Integration Roadmap for Mauritius Final report - Consultancy Study on Electric Cars |
| Many climate events postponed due to COVID-19, but countries submitted updated NDCs under the Paris Agreement. | |
| 2021 | Climate Change Act (2021): Mauritius enacted this legislation to provide a legal framework for climate action, including the establishment of a Climate Change Committee and the development of a National Climate Change Adaptation Plan. | AFD/COI (2021): Adapt'Action Building Regional Resilience through Strengthened Meteorological, Hydrological and Climate Services in the Indian Ocean Commission Member Countries (Hydromet Project) - Environmental and Social Management Framework | Commits to reducing GHG emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to BAU levels, supported by the Climate Change Act 2020. It focuses on decarbonisation, aiming for 60% renewable electricity and a complete coal phase-out by 2030. Adaptation measures prioritise ecosystem-based solutions, disaster resilience, and infrastructure protection, with an estimated USD 6.5 billion required—65% of which depends on international support. First Biennial Update Report (BUR1) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 2021 | COP26 (31 Oct - 12 Nov 2021; Glasgow, Scotland) IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) - Physical Science Basis (Working Group I) stated that human influence on climate is "unequivocal" and that limiting warming to 1.5°C requires immediate deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. |
| 2022 | Renewable Energy Roadmap for the Electricity Sector- Revised | Final Draft - Fourth National Communication (NC4) Project Implementation Plan Sep 2022 | COP27 (6 - 20 Nov; Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt ) IPCC releases its Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) , reinforcing the need for immediate deep emissions cuts.. It Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (Working Group II) warned of irreversible climate effects and the need for increased adaptation measures. Stockholm+50: a healthy planet for the prosperity of all – our responsibility, our opportunity | |
| 2023 | Mainstreaming Migration, Environment and Climate Change into (Re)integration Initiatives in Mauritius | FSVR1 | COP28 (30 Nov to 13 Dec; Dubai. UAE) IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report Released, consolidating findings from all three working groups, reaffirming the urgency of action to prevent catastrophic climate impacts. | |
| 2024 | COP29 (11-22 Nov; Baku, Azerbaijan) | |||
| 2025 | The Third Nationally Determined Contribution Commits to a 40% reduction in GHG emissions by 2035, targeting 60% renewable electricity, coal phase-out, and 10% energy efficiency gains. It expands climate action to transport, industry, waste, and blue carbon, while strengthening adaptation to coastal erosion, drought, and disasters. The plan requires about USD 11.3 billion through 2050 and emphasises gender inclusion, youth engagement, and a just transition under the Climate Change Act 2020. | COP30 (10 - 21 November 2025; Belém, Brazil): | ||
| LOOKING AHEAD | 2025-2026 – Expected release of IPCC Seventh Assessment Report (AR7), with updates on climate models, extreme weather events, and policy responses. | |||
