Context (Greenhouse Gas Emissions)

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)

FACTS & FIGURES

A greenhouse gas (GHG) is any gaseous compound in the atmosphere that is capable of absorbing infrared radiation, thereby trapping and holding heat in the Earth's atmosphere. This process is known as the greenhouse effect. By increasing the heat in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases are responsible for the greenhouse effect, which ultimately leads to global warming and climate change.

GHGs are gases occurring naturally but are also resulting from human-induced activities (anthropogenic emissions from production and consumption).  

Carbon dioxide (CO2) makes up the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions, but smaller amounts of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), and other GHGs such as refrigerant gases (HCFCs and HFCs)  are also emitted.    These gases have varying levels of impact on the Earth's climate based on their ability to absorb energy and their lifespan in the atmosphere.

Source: United Nations Environment Programe (UNEP), Emissions Gap Report 2023)

• Global Share-out of net GHG Emissions:  ~0.01%

Source:  Biennial Transparency Report (BTR), 2024

• Total GHG Emissions (2022): ~5.90 million tonnes CO2e
• Net GHG removals (2022): ~ 0.43 million tonnes CO2e
• Net GHG Emission (2022): ~5.47 million tonnes CO2e  
• Energy sector contributes to the largest share of GHG emissions (excluding LULUCF) with 75.7% share of emissions, followed by waste sector with 14.1% share and IPPU by 8.7% share.
• In terms of gases, the bulk emissions are from CO2 (74%), and the rest from CH4 (16%), HFCs (9%) and N2O (2%).

GHG Share-outs: 

Initiatives and Commitments of Mauritius

Chronology of Engagements

Mauritius has engaged in several initiatives and commitments to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their impacts on climate change. Some key engagements include:

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Mauritius has committed under the Paris Agreement to reduce its GHG emissions. The country's NDCs include specific targets for reducing emissions by a certain percentage relative to business-as-usual scenarios by 2030.
Switch to Renewable Energy: Mauritius aims to increase the share of renewable energy in its energy mix. The goal is to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and decrease GHG emissions.
Energy Efficiency Measures: Implementing energy efficiency measures across various sectors, including the installation of energy-efficient appliances and systems, promoting green building standards, and improving industrial processes.
Sustainable Transportation: Promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs) and improving public transportation to reduce emissions from the transport sector.
Waste Management: Enhancing waste management practices, including increasing recycling rates, reducing landfill use, and capturing methane emissions from waste sites.
Afforestation and Reforestation: Undertaking tree planting initiatives to enhance carbon sequestration and manage land use sustainably.
Climate Legislation: Enacting policies and regulations that enforce emission reduction, promote sustainable practices, and prepare for climate risks.
International Cooperation: Participating in global and regional climate initiatives, sharing knowledge, and accessing international climate finance to support mitigation and adaptation strategies.
 

These engagements demonstrate Mauritius's active approach to managing GHG emissions and mitigating climate change impacts, aligning with global efforts and contributing to sustainable development goals.

Monitoring of GHG Emissions

Mauritius monitors greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through a structured national system aligned with international guidelines provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This system involves the following key components:

National GHG Inventory System:  Mauritius has established a comprehensive inventory system that regularly collects data on GHG emissions from various sectors including energy, industry, agriculture, waste, and land use. This system follows the methodologies recommended by the IPCC, which ensure consistency, accuracy, and comparability with international standards.
Data Collection from Various Sectors: The inventory system gathers data from multiple sources, including energy consumption statistics, industrial production data, agricultural activities, and waste management practices. This data is collected from relevant government departments, industry stakeholders, and other relevant entities.
Use of IPCC Guidelines: Mauritius adheres to the IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, which provide methodologies for estimating emissions and removals of GHGs. These guidelines help ensure that the calculations are based on scientifically recognized methods.
Emission Factors and Activity Data: The country uses specific emission factors and activity data relevant to its context to calculate GHG emissions. Emission factors may be sourced from international databases or developed locally if specific local data is available.
Sectoral Approach: The GHG monitoring involves a sectoral approach where emissions are calculated separately for different sectors and then aggregated to determine the total national emissions. This allows for targeted policy interventions in high-emission sectors.
Reporting and Verification: Mauritius prepares and submits National Communications and Biennial Update Reports to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). These reports undergo international review and verification to ensure transparency and accuracy.
Continuous Improvement: The GHG inventory process in Mauritius is subject to continuous improvement. Feedback from UNFCCC review processes and advancements in methodologies contribute to enhancing the system's reliability and accuracy.

1992 - Earth Summit in Rio: 

Mauritius participated in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit, leading to the signing of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
 

1997 - Kyoto Protocol: 

Mauritius signed the Kyoto Protocol, committing to GHG emissions reduction targets and participating in mechanisms such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).  

Obligations/ Outcomes: To achieve the objective of the UNFCCC by setting legally binding quantified emission reduction targets for participating developed countries.

Kyoto Protocol entered into force on 16 February 2005. Currently, there are 192 Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. Its first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012.

The Doha Amendment was adopted in Doha, Qatar, on 08 December 2012. It relates to the second commitment period, beginning 1 January 2013 and ending in 31 December 2020.

Implementation/ Submission:   Closure for the CDM projects will be done in 2026 through the submission of reports and issuance of certificate of closure.

2015 - Paris Agreement: 

Mauritius signed the Paris Agreement and submitted its first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), pledging to reduce GHG emissions by 30% by 2030 relative to a business-as-usual scenario.   (Read More…)

Obligations/ Outcomes: 

• Article 4 of the Paris Agreement requires that NDCs are updated every five years with increasingly higher ambition, taking into consideration each country's capacity.

• Article 6 of the Paris Agreement sets out how countries can pursue voluntary cooperation to reach their climate targets. It enables international cooperation to tackle climate change and unlock financial support for developing countries.

• Article 12 of the Paris Agreement requires countries to work together to improve climate change education, training, public awareness, public participation, and public access to information.

• Article 13 of the Paris Agreement established an enhanced transparency framework for action and support, with built-in flexibility which takes into account Parties’ different capacities and builds upon collective experience. It establishes a transparency framework for action and support that includes provisions for national communications and biennial update reports.

Implementation/ Submission:

• The first Biennial Transparency Report for the Republic of Mauritius has been submitted in December 2024.
• Preparation for the Fourth national Communication is starting.
• An online MauRegistry has been developed to track progress of implementation of the NDC in terms of adaptation, mitigation and  support.
• Enhancing country emission factor.

Forthcoming Events:

• CMA 7 will be held in COP 30
• In-country review of BTR
   

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): 

Obligations/ Outcomes:

• COP29 has established the Baku Adaptation Roadmap, which is designed to guide the implementation of the UAE Framework, and the Baku High-Level Dialogue on Adaptation, a platform intended to facilitate action on adaptation at future COPs.   

• Scaling up climate finance under the “Baku to Belém Roadmap to 1.3T” to developing countries to support low GHG emissions and climate-resilient development pathways, and implement NDCs and national adaptation.

• Development of a new gender action plan in 2025 for adoption at COP30.

• As per UNFCCC, Parties should have  in place their NAPs by 2025 and have progressed in implementation by 2030.

Implementation/ Submission:

• Adaptation – GGA - Submission of views on knowledge, experience and information related to the GGA Framework

• Adaptation – NAPs - Submission of information on the submitter's progress in achieving the objectives of the NAP process. The Readiness proposal for NAP has been submitted to GCF on 10 December 2024. Once approved, its implementation will require high level commitment of stakeholders.

• Climate Finance
  •  Ministry of Finance is working on a climate strategy
  • Formulation of a green taxonomy and development of guideline for climate change reporting in line with sections 15 to 18 of Climate Change Act.

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Forthcoming Events:

• United Nations SB62 Climate Conference

• COP 30 - Organizing preparatory meeting for COP30 including the possibility of hosting events in the pavilion during the conference, subject to availability of finance and the active participation of stakeholders in the events within the pavilion.

Reporting Obligations

Submissions to UNFCCC Secretariat

As per its obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Republic of Mauritius (RoM) is required to submit a comprehensive national inventory of GHG emissions (including removals and sinks) more or less regularly to the UNFCCC Secretariat.

In April 1999, the Republic of Mauritius (RoM) submitted its inaugural Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory as part of its Initial National Communication. Subsequently, during the preparations for the Second and Third National Communications, Mauritius developed an enhanced standalone National GHG Inventory Report. In December 2021, this report was submitted alongside the first Biennial Update Report (BUR) to the UNFCCC.  Additionally, the Republic of Mauritius submitted its national GHG emissions inventory covering the period from 2000 to 2022, along with its First Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) to the UNFCCC Secretariat on December 31, 2024. Accordingly, the National Inventory was updated for the period 2000 – 2016 in the light specifically developed for the years 2017 – 2022 as a national inventory document (NID)  (NID, 2024).

To comply with UNFCCC reporting standards, Mauritius's GHG national inventory categorizes emissions into four primary sectors: Energy, Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU), Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU), and Waste (both solid and liquid). Each sector is broken down into further detailed categories.

The methodology adopted for compiling the national inventory adheres to the 2006 Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which also includes adherence to the Good Practice Guidance.  The NID is prescribed in the Modalities, Procedures and Guidelines for the transparency framework for action and support referred to in Article 13 of the Paris Agreement (Annex to Decision 18/CMA.1, hereinafter referred to as the “MPGs”) as a stand-alone report.

1999 - Initial National Communication (NC) and National Inventory Report (NIR): Mauritius submitted its Initial National Communication and the accompanying National Inventory Report to the UNFCCC, outlining early efforts and baseline assessments of GHG emissions.

2000 - National Environmental Policy: The government of Mauritius developed a comprehensive national environmental policy, focusing on integrating environmental sustainability into economic development.

2010 - Second National Communication (NC) and National Inventory Report (NIR): Mauritius submitted its Second National Communication and the corresponding National Inventory Report, providing updates on climate policies, GHG inventories, vulnerability assessments, and mitigation actions.

2016 - Third National Communication (TNC) and National Inventory Report (NIR): Mauritius submitted its Third National Communication and the accompanying National Inventory Report, enhancing the depth of climate action reporting and providing further insights into adaptation and mitigation strategies.

2021 - First Biennial Update Report (BUR) and National Inventory Report (NIR): Mauritius submitted its First BUR and the accompanying National Inventory Report, detailing GHG inventories, mitigation actions, and needs for further climate action.

2021 - Updated NDC Submission: Mauritius updated its NDC, increasing its GHG reduction target to 40% by 2030 compared to the business-as-usual scenario, with specific strategies for renewable energy, waste management, and transportation.

2024 - Submission of First Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) and National Inventory Document (NID): Mauritius submitted its First BTR and the accompanying National Inventory Report in 2024, in accordance with enhanced transparency frameworks under the Paris Agreement.

2025 - The Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) of the Republic of Mauritius 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.

Overall Trend of Emissions for Mauritius (from 2000 to 2022)

Since achieving independence in 1968, Mauritius has undergone significant economic development and now boasts one of the highest per capita incomes in Africa. In the 1980s, the country diversified its economy, advancing notably in the textile, tourism, fisheries, and manufacturing sectors. Entering the 21st century, Mauritius expanded further into financial services and information and communication technology. 

From 2000 to 2022, the Republic of Mauritius saw a 174% increase in its real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), accompanied by a 104% rise in net GHG emissions during the same timeframe.

The overall trend suggests a fairly stable total emission level over the years, with slight fluctuations. 

Evolution of GDP and Net GHG Emissions

From 2000 to 2022 (Biennial Transparency Report (BTR), 2024):  

• energy sector emissions: increasing trend
• IPPU emissions:  increasing trend
• waste sector emissions:  increasing trend
• agriculture sector emissions: decreasing trend
• LULUCF removals:  decreasing trend

The dominant role of the energy sector highlights its significant impact on the country's GHG emissions profile.

2000 emissions vs 2022 emissions (Gg CO2e)

GHG Emission Trends by Sector

The GHG national inventory is divided into four main sectors i.e. Energy, IPPU, AFOLU and Waste. 

Trends of total GHG emissions and removals in Mauritius from 2000 to 2022.

Further each sector is subdivided into sub-categories. Click on the titles below for more info on sectoral emissions:

• Energy (IPCC Sector 1)
• Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU) (IPCC Sector 2)
• Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) (IPCC Sector 3)
• Waste (IPCC Sector 4)

General Observations

Major GHG Emitters Undergoing Transformation

Both the electricity sector and the transport sector, the largest greenhouse gas emitters, are undergoing rapid, transformational, and inter-related changes that will significantly alter their emissions profiles. Solid Waste accounts for almost one-fifth of national emissions. Improved estimation of the GHG characteristics of these sectors/sub-sectors would have a tangible impact on the national inventory.

Marginal Benefits from Inventory Improvements in Other Sectors

Most of the other sectors and sub-sectors would also benefit from improvements to the national greenhouse gas inventory. However, many such improvements would improve the accuracy of the inventory only marginally. Iron and Steel Production, for example, forms a prominent component of the Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU) sector and is currently analyzed using a Tier 1 approach. But Iron and Steel Production accounts for less than 1% of national GHG emissions.

Forestry Sector and Carbon Sequestration

Carbon sequestration is currently equivalent to a substantial 8% of national GHG emissions. The Forestry sector is subject to considerable uncertainty due to gaps in activity data and the methodology used for calculating GHG removal.

Agricultural Sector's Contribution to GHG Emissions

Agriculture accounts for nearly 3% of national GHG emissions, one-quarter of which are attributable to livestock (enteric fermentation and manure). Data paucity is specifically identified by the 2021 National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report (p. 94) as a key barrier to estimating Livestock GHG emissions: “Some activity data and EFs had to be estimated by using expert knowledge. It is anticipated to empower Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI) to improve collection of livestock population data and develop local emission factors to reduce the uncertainty level.”

Mauritius' Enhanced GHG Emission Reduction Targets

Mauritius aims to reduce overall GHG emissions by 40% in 2030 compared to the Business as Usual (BAU) scenario of around 6,900 ktCO2eq (including LULUCF) in 2030. Compared to the 2015 INDC target of 30% GHG emissions reduction by 2030, the mitigation ambition of Mauritius in the updated NDC is significantly enhanced.

Mitigation Measures

As per the updated NDC (2021), the total financial needs to implement the NDC targets are estimated at USD 6.5 billion. The total needs for implementing the mitigation and adaptation actions identified in this NDC are estimated respectively at USD 2 billion and USD 4.5 billion.  Planned mitigation options for ROM include an increase in the use of renewable energy, marine resources and cleaner energy technologies, modernisation of the electricity grid and energy efficiency measures, sustainable transportation including efficient mass transportation, sustainable and integrated waste management programme, climate smart agriculture and sustained tree planting programme.   More..