Speech of
the Hon. Devanand Virahsawmy, GOSK, FCCA
Minister of
Environment & Sustainable Development
on the occasion of the
Launching of
Mexa Carbon Footprint Mitigation
Project Phase II
on
Tuesday 29 January 2013 at 09.15 hrs
La Canelle – Domaine Les Pailles
Mr Yogesh Sing, Chairman MEXA
Mrs. Danielle Wong, Director Mauritius Export Association
Mrs. Joya Badari, Chairman MID Fund
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is again a privilege for me to be in your midst to-day for the launching
of the second phase of the MEXA Carbon Footprint Mitigation Project.
I would like, first of all, to congratulate MEXA for the successful
implementation of the first phase of the carbon footprint mitigation
project which targeted seven companies and which, I am told, has
enabled a total reduction of more than 7000 tons of carbon dioxide
emission.
Indeed, MEXA has taken an excellent initiative by introducing the first
ever Blue Carbon Award in 2010 to reward companies for their efforts in
promoting sustainability through carbon mitigation in business practices.
I am informed that the seven companies which participated in the first
phase, namely Consolidated Dyeing & Fabric Ltd, Ferme Marine de
Mahebourg, FM Denim Ltd, RT Knits Ltd, T&T International Ltd, Tamak
Textile and Poster Graphics have successfully received their blue carbon
certification. I have no doubt that this success will motivate these
companies to further pursue their efforts to reduce their carbon dioxide
emissions.
I understand that in this second phase, the scope of the project has been
broadened to involve more companies. In fact, 22 organisations,
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including 10 Government organizations, will be taking part in the second
phase of the project.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The computation of carbon footprint at individual and organisation’s level
has gained tremendous importance worldwide due to the growing
awareness on the impacts of climate change. The carbon footprint is in
fact the total set of greenhouse gases emissions caused by an
organization, event, product or person.
As you are already aware,
greenhouse gases constitute the major cause of climate change.
Carbon footprint is a very powerful tool to help understand the impact of
personal and organisational behavior on global warming and also helps
to devise appropriate strategies for emission reduction.
Climate change is recognized today as one of the most serious concerns
of this century. Though Mauritius is a low net emitter of greenhouse
gases, we are already experiencing the impacts of climate change. For
instance, according to reliable sources, the average temperature rose by
0.74 0C when compared to the 1961-90 mean. Moreover, the mean sea
level has risen by 3.8 millimeter per year on average during the last five
years.
Government has since long realized that Climate Change is not only an
environmental issue but also an economic and social threat that will
impact on every facet of society. The challenge for us is not only to
adapt to the impacts of climate change but also to reduce our emissions
of Greenhouse Gases thus contributing effectively to the mitigation effort
undertaken at global level.
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Regarding adaptation, my Ministry is currently implementing the Africa
Adaptation Programme with the financial support of the Government of
Japan, under its Cool Earth Partnership project for Africa, to the tune of
Rs 90 million. The main objective of this programme is to integrate and
mainstream climate change adaptation into the institutional framework
and into core development policies, strategies and plans for the Republic
of Mauritius. Some 25 projects are being implemented under this
programme. The main ones being:
(i)
A National Climate Change Adaptation Framework incorporating
Adaptation Policy, Strategy and Action Plan, Investment Program
(ii)
A Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and Action Plan prepared to
cater for inland flooding, coastal zone inundation and landslides
(iii)
Capacity building activities and large scale sensitization targeting
the public as well as the private sector, students, academics,
NGO’s and the public in general.
Ladies and Gentlemen
In an endeavour to reconcile the economic, social and environmental
pillars of sustainable development, the ‘Maurice Ile Durable’ concept was
launched in 2008. MID aims at making Mauritius a model of sustainable
development by bringing a change in our lifestyle and in our
consumption and production pattern. The ‘Maurice Ile Durable’ concept
is also accompanied by a dedicated MID Fund which now operates
under the aegis of my Ministry. The objective of the fund is to encourage
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initiatives to protect the environment through recycling, efficient use of
energy and to increase reliance on renewable energy.
Some Rs 600 M have been disbursed from the MID Fund, to date, to
finance projects aimed at promoting sustainable development. Some of
the projects financed are:
1.
Provision of grants for the purchase of solar water heaters to some
38, 000 households
2.
Subsidy on 1 million Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) sold by
the CEB
3.
Installation of CFLs for government buildings
4.
Replacement of conventional traffic lights by 1450 LED bulbs
5.
Installation of two wind turbines at Grenade, in Rodrigues, by CEB
6.
Installation of Photovoltaic Cells in private and State Secondary
Schools
As you are probably aware, we are in the process of having a proper
framework to translate the Maurice Ile Durable vision into a concrete
Policy, a clear 10-Year Strategy and a first three-year Action Plan. This
framework will transform the environmental as well as the economic and
social landscape of Mauritius for a more sustainable development.
However, the success of any programme depends strongly on the
participation and the commitment of all stakeholders.
It is worth mentioning that the MID Fund has contributed to the first
phase of the MEXA Carbon Footprint mitigation Project to the tune of
Rs 3 Million. The first phase has led to a reduction of more than 7000
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tons of greenhouse gases representing a saving of some Rs 35 million.
The other benefits derived from the project include:

A reduction in the operational cost

Training of 25 employees in carbon footprint and mitigation

Providing required tools and indicators to measure carbon
emissions

Preserving our natural resource and reducing air pollution
In view of the success achieved in the implementation of the first phase
of the MEXA project, I am pleased to say that the MID Fund is also
financing the second phase of the MEXA project to the tune of
Rs 4 million.
To demonstrate its commitment in reducing the emission of greenhouse
gases at national level, my Ministry has introduced a corresponding
indicator in the 2013 Programme Based Budget.
In fact, the 2013
budget provides for an overall reduction of 50,000 tons of Carbon
Dioxide during the year through the implementation of different projects
and initiatives of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable
Development undertaken with the support of stakeholders concerned.
My Ministry is supporting the MEXA project because it is in line with
Government’s objective to move towards a Green Economy. One of the
basic concepts underlying the Greening of the Economy relates to
moving towards low-carbon emission in the industrial sector. Achieving
a green economy can only be possible through a collective vision,
creativity, action and support from a broad cross-section of society,
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including Government, the private sector, financial institutions as well as
consumers. This project is a clear indication that Government and the
private sector are devoting their efforts towards a common goal.
Several initiatives can be undertaken at individual and corporate level to
move towards green economy. I will just mention a few:

Producing and consuming sustainable goods and services

Adopting cleaner production in industry

Adopting energy efficient measures and using renewable energies

Engaging in Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives aimed at
improving our natural environment

Constructing according to Sustainable Building Principles

Rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge

Waste reduction and promotion of composting
The MEXA Carbon Footprint Mitigation Project is a laudable one as it
shows the commitment of private organizations to integrate global and
national issues in their business operations. I sincerely hope that this
project will lead the way for other enterprises to engage in similar
initiatives and thus contributing in making our industries greener.
It is also worth mentioning that an overall reduction of the carbon
footprint of an organization also makes business sense.
In fact,
consumers are becoming increasingly aware on environmental issues
and in some countries they select their goods and services from
producers and suppliers based on environmental criteria such as the
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carbon footprint. We can safely say therefore that this project comes at
an opportune time.
I hope that the present training session will be enriching for all
participants and I encourage you all to take full advantage of the
knowledge and skills that will be imparted to you by professionals in the
field of Carbon Footprint Mitigation. I wish you all a full success for
Phase II of the Carbon Footprint Mitigation Project.
I thank you for your attention.
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