Port Louis can become a model of a green city in Mauritius

This is so that Port Louis can become a model of a green city in Mauritius.

The African Mayoral Climate Change Declaration urges nations to recognise local governments as pivotal partners in implementing climate change and in building and developing a just framing of the global response to climate change.

This was a joint initiative of the municipal council and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI).

“Local governments are at the coalface of climate change. It is at this level of government, closest to the people and communities, where climate change adaptation and mitigation solutions can be found,” said lord mayor Mahmad Kodabaccus.

He added that cumulative local action driven by local governments in their communities is key to solving the global climate change challenge.

“We all know that we human beings are the major contributors to increasing climate change and its resulting consequences on health, environment and our own safety,” he said. Kodabaccus was pleased with the fact that Port Louis is part of the five-city network in Africa that is part of a research project of the United Nations. This project aims to help strengthen them to prepare for the dangers associated with climate change.

According to Kodabaccus, the finalising of the African Mayoral Climate Change Declaration was decisive. “The capital will soon be an example as a city advocating sustainable development,” he said.

He recalled the plans to make Port Louis a cleaner and environmentally safe green city. This includes the installation of solar panels on the roof of the Municipality of Port Louis in October and street lighting from solar panels by the end of the year.

The Local Government Act is also being revised to make it consistent with green development. The lord mayor will also encourage the construction of green buildings and the installation of solar water heaters in each building will be mandatory.

“Everyone is concerned about climate change. We should take action and act locally. If we have good practices in one area we should be able to duplicate this everywhere in Mauritius. We need to get organised so that we can go forward together,” said the lord mayor.