There is a need to facilitate access to financial assistance for Small Island States to enable them to better meet their needs and combat climate change. This is what Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth made clear during his speech at the World Leaders Summit in Glasgow (Scotland) for the United Nations Climate Conference, COP26.
Pravind Jugnauth recalled the commitment made by industrialized countries for an annual climate funding of 100 billion US dollars for countries vulnerable to climate change such as Small Island States.
The Mauritian Prime Minister also recalled the need to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Centigrade and to achieve the goal of zero emissions by 2050.
The rise in sea level due to global warming is, he said, a huge existential challenge for Small Island States, of which Mauritius is one. Mauritius as a small island state has a role to play in addressing the challenges of climate change, including global warming, climate variability and sea level rise.
The Prime Minister also made several commitments, including that of Mauritius to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030.
To achieve this, the country intends to produce 60% of its energy mix from green energies and thus gradually eliminate coal in the production of electricity while encouraging the circular economy by exploiting at least 70% of waste in the landfill.
Mauritius also intends to promote the use of electric vehicles.
The country has also embarked on a nationwide tree planting program, he said.
