Climate change in Mauritius

Climate change presents a direct danger to the environment, economy, and people of Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean.^[1] Sea-level increase, natural disasters, and deterioration of life-sustaining ecosystems are challenges facing the island.^[1] These challenges are endangering the nation's coastal regions, altering infrastructure and freshwater, and increasing temperatures and unexpected climatic conditions.^[2] National planning is establishing resilience in Mauritius, including the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.^[1][2][3]

In 2022, Mauritius accounted for 0.01% of global emissions, producing 4.02 million tons of CO₂ from fuel combustion, a 65% increase from 2000 levels.^[4][5][6] In the same year, the CO2 emissions per capita was 3.184 tCO2 / Capita which was about 55% increase from the year 2000.^[4]

In 2023, Mauritius emitted about 4.909 million tons of greenhouse gases, a bit higher than in the previous year.^[7] Per capita emissions also rose to 4.843 tons of CO2 equivalent.^[8]

The government has committed to cutting emissions by 40% by the year 2030 and has taken several steps, such as higher usage of renewable energy and better waste management.^[9][10]

Data: Global Carbon Atlas and national reports [Worldmeters]

Climate change is affecting Mauritius in the form of increased temperatures, enhanced heat waves, and reduction in total annual rainfall, which have lengthened the dry season and increased flash flood risk.^[1] Mauritius has also seen increased intensity of tropical cyclones and a rising sea level, causing coastal erosion and posing threats to infrastructure.^[12]

Mauritius warmed by 0.0216 °C/year over the 1971–2020 period, and rainfall rose on average by 2.29 mm/year over the 1981–2020 period. The evolving climate over time has had catastrophic impacts on the indigenous ecosystem of the island and poses risks to the long-term water supply system.^[6]

Climate change has affected Mauritius's water resources by producing unpredictable rainfall, increased droughts, and more severe heavy rainfall events. This translates into varied reservoir levels, stressed fresh water supplies, and intensified flooding, all of which contaminate the surface and groundwater resources and compromise water security.^[13] Research shows that Mauritius's rainfall over the 1931–2020 period decreased, affecting agriculture, livelihoods, industries, and businesses.^[14]

Mauritian ecosystems have been affected by increased sea levels, more intense cyclones, and increased ocean temperatures, which cause coral bleaching, erode the coast, and pose dangers to marine life and coastal towns.^[2][15] The effects ravage key habitats such as coral reefs and mangroves, exploit fisheries, and jeopardize the tourism economy, which depends on an uninterrupted coastal ecosystem.^[1][16]

Because the Mauritian economy depends heavily on climate-sensitive sectors such as tourism, fisheries, agriculture, and coastal infrastructure, Mauritius faces serious economic risks due to climate change.

Tourism contributes approximately 20% to Mauritius's GDP and is the employer of approximately 22% of Mauritius's workforce.^[15] Sea level rise, coastal erosion, coral bleaching, increased storm intensity, and beach deterioration decrease the attractiveness of Mauritius as a destination.^[15][17] A projection estimates beach erosion will lose up to USD 50 million in revenue by 2050.^[18]

Fisheries in Mauritius are threatened by ocean warming, shifting ranges of species, loss of coral reef habitats, and the pressure from invasive species. Changes or declines in fish populations would impact exports as well as the livelihood of coastal residents.^[2][15]

Shifting rain patterns, rising pressure from drought, more intense and more frequent storms, and soil erosion all lower crop and livestock production. In particular, the traditionally significant sugar industry is highly vulnerable to weather extremes like cyclones and floods.^[2][10][15]

Climate change poses documented health risks in Mauritius. National and international assessments identify rising temperatures, heavier rainfall, rising sea levels, and stronger cyclones as affecting disease transmission, injuries, and health system performance.^[2][19]

Warmer temperatures and altered rainfall expand suitable conditions for Aedes mosquitoes and can accelerate viral replication. Mauritius has a history of chikungunya and dengue outbreaks, and the current global resurgence of chikungunya includes the southwest Indian Ocean region. Public health agencies link part of this risk to climate change.^[20][21]

Higher maximum temperatures raise risks of heat illness, especially for older adults, outdoor workers, and people with chronic disease. Climate models used by the World Bank show increasing heat risk across the islands.^[22][23]

Intense rainfall and flooding compromise water quality and sanitation and can increase gastroenteritis and other enteric infections. Coastal flooding may also affect shellfish safety. The WHO country profile cites these pathways for small island states, including Mauritius.^[19]

Mauritius has a framework climate law, the Climate Change Act 2020, which establishes an Inter-Ministerial Council on Climate Change and a Department of Climate Change to steer policy toward a low-emission and climate-resilient economy.^[24]

In September 2025 the government filed its third Nationally Determined Contribution. It targets a 40% reduction in economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared to a business-as-usual pathway, with sectoral measures in energy, transport, waste, AFOLU, and IPPU.^[25]

The updated NDC framework also raises energy ambitions to 60% power generation from green sources by 2030, a coal phase-out, and a 10% improvement in energy efficiency from a 2019 baseline. Domestic finance is expected to cover 35% of climate action costs.^[5]

• Climate change in Africa
• Climate change adaptation
• Agriculture in Mauritius
• Geography of Mauritius