XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-102 Global Environment Facility NA Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility World Bank Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Resources; Mauritian Wildlife Appeal Fund CEO Endorsement Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date ' Mauritius +![cdata[Biodiversity]]+ 240000.00 240000.00 240000.00 240000.00 240000.00 0 World Bank Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Resources; Mauritian Wildlife Appeal Fund 0 World Bank Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Resources; Mauritian Wildlife Appeal Fund 0 World Bank Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Resources; Mauritian Wildlife Appeal Fund 1200000 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-356 Global Environment Facility NA Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility UNDP Government CEO Endorsement Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date ' Mauritius +![cdata[Forestry policy and administrative management]]+ 40000.00 40000.00 40000.00 40000.00 40000.00 0 UNDP Government 200000 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-577 Global Environment Facility NA Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility World Bank Central Electricity Board; Mauritius Sugar Authority; Union St. Aubin Sugar Company (UStAC) CEO Endorsement Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date ' Mauritius +![cdata[Biosphere protection]]+ 660000.00 660000.00 660000.00 660000.00 660000.00 0 World Bank Central Electricity Board; Mauritius Sugar Authority; Union St. Aubin Sugar Company (UStAC) 3300000 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-816 Global Environment Facility NA Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility World Bank Mauritian Wildlife Foundation CEO Approval Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date ' Mauritius +![cdata[Biodiversity]]+ 250000.00 250000.00 250000.00 0 World Bank Mauritian Wildlife Foundation 0 World Bank Mauritian Wildlife Foundation 0 World Bank Mauritian Wildlife Foundation 0 World Bank Mauritian Wildlife Foundation 0 World Bank Mauritian Wildlife Foundation 0 World Bank Mauritian Wildlife Foundation 750000 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-1246 Global Environment Facility NA Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility UNDP Albion Fusheries Research Centre of the Ministry of Fisheries CEO Approval Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date ' Mauritius +![cdata[Biodiversity]]+ 326000.00 326000.00 326000.00 0 UNDP Albion Fusheries Research Centre of the Ministry of Fisheries 0 UNDP Albion Fusheries Research Centre of the Ministry of Fisheries 0 UNDP Albion Fusheries Research Centre of the Ministry of Fisheries 0 UNDP Albion Fusheries Research Centre of the Ministry of Fisheries 0 UNDP Albion Fusheries Research Centre of the Ministry of Fisheries 0 UNDP Albion Fusheries Research Centre of the Ministry of Fisheries 0 UNDP Albion Fusheries Research Centre of the Ministry of Fisheries 0 UNDP Albion Fusheries Research Centre of the Ministry of Fisheries 0 UNDP Albion Fusheries Research Centre of the Ministry of Fisheries 978000 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-2241 Global Environment Facility NA Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility UNDP Ministry of Public Utilities CEO Approval Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date ' Mauritius +![cdata[Biosphere protection]]+ 304137.00 304137.00 304137.00 0 UNDP Ministry of Public Utilities 0 UNDP Ministry of Public Utilities 0 UNDP Ministry of Public Utilities 0 UNDP Ministry of Public Utilities 0 UNDP Ministry of Public Utilities 0 UNDP Ministry of Public Utilities 0 UNDP Ministry of Public Utilities 912411 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-2403 Global Environment Facility NA Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility UNDP Forestry Servcie, Minsitry of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources, GoM CEO Approval Date Actual Implementation Start Date Actual Completion Date ' Mauritius 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 UNDP Forestry Servcie, Minsitry of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources, GoM 0 UNDP Forestry Servcie, Minsitry of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources, GoM 0 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-2822 Global Environment Facility NA Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility UNEP Ministry of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources CEO Approval Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date ' Mauritius +![cdata[Biodiversity]]+ 142600.00 142600.00 142600.00 0 UNEP Ministry of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources 0 UNEP Ministry of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources 0 UNEP Ministry of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources 0 UNEP Ministry of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources 0 UNEP Ministry of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources 0 UNEP Ministry of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources 427800 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-3205 Global Environment Facility NA Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility UNDP Government of Mauritius CEO Approval Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date ' Mauritius +![cdata[Environmental policy and administrative management]]+ 300750.00 300750.00 300750.00 0 UNDP Government of Mauritius 0 UNDP Government of Mauritius 0 UNDP Government of Mauritius 0 UNDP Government of Mauritius 0 UNDP Government of Mauritius 0 UNDP Government of Mauritius 0 UNDP Government of Mauritius 902250 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-3526 Global Environment Facility NA Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility UNDP Ministry of Agro-industry and Fisheries (National Parks and Conservation Service) and Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) CEO Endorsement Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date ' Mauritius +![cdata[Biodiversity]]+ 800000.00 800000.00 800000.00 800000.00 800000.00 0 UNDP Ministry of Agro-industry and Fisheries (National Parks and Conservation Service) and Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) 0 UNDP Ministry of Agro-industry and Fisheries (National Parks and Conservation Service) and Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) 0 UNDP Ministry of Agro-industry and Fisheries (National Parks and Conservation Service) and Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) 0 UNDP Ministry of Agro-industry and Fisheries (National Parks and Conservation Service) and Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) 0 UNDP Ministry of Agro-industry and Fisheries (National Parks and Conservation Service) and Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) 0 UNDP Ministry of Agro-industry and Fisheries (National Parks and Conservation Service) and Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) 0 UNDP Ministry of Agro-industry and Fisheries (National Parks and Conservation Service) and Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) 0 UNDP Ministry of Agro-industry and Fisheries (National Parks and Conservation Service) and Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) 4000000 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-4099 Global Environment Facility NA Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility UNDP Ministry of Renewable Energy and Public Utilities, Rodrigues regional Assembly and Outer Islands Development Corporation CEO Endorsement Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date ' Mauritius +![cdata[Solar energy for centralised grids]]+ 401000.00 401000.00 401000.00 401000.00 401000.00 0 UNDP Ministry of Renewable Energy and Public Utilities, Rodrigues regional Assembly and Outer Islands Development Corporation 0 UNDP Ministry of Renewable Energy and Public Utilities, Rodrigues regional Assembly and Outer Islands Development Corporation 0 UNDP Ministry of Renewable Energy and Public Utilities, Rodrigues regional Assembly and Outer Islands Development Corporation 0 UNDP Ministry of Renewable Energy and Public Utilities, Rodrigues regional Assembly and Outer Islands Development Corporation 0 UNDP Ministry of Renewable Energy and Public Utilities, Rodrigues regional Assembly and Outer Islands Development Corporation 2005000 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-5514 Global Environment Facility NA Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility UNDP Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI) in collaboration with Rodrigues Regional Assembly and national entities in charge of environment, fisheries, tourism, agriculture and physical development CEO Endorsement Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date ' Mauritius Port Louis -20.16194 57.49889 +![cdata[Biodiversity]]+ 932904.20 932904.20 932904.20 932904.20 932904.20 280418 UNDP Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI) in collaboration with Rodrigues Regional Assembly and national entities in charge of environment, fisheries, tourism, agriculture and physical development 836522 UNDP Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI) in collaboration with Rodrigues Regional Assembly and national entities in charge of environment, fisheries, tourism, agriculture and physical development 1129996 UNDP Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI) in collaboration with Rodrigues Regional Assembly and national entities in charge of environment, fisheries, tourism, agriculture and physical development 610094 UNDP Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI) in collaboration with Rodrigues Regional Assembly and national entities in charge of environment, fisheries, tourism, agriculture and physical development 708169 UNDP Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI) in collaboration with Rodrigues Regional Assembly and national entities in charge of environment, fisheries, tourism, agriculture and physical development 4595271 UNDP Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI) in collaboration with Rodrigues Regional Assembly and national entities in charge of environment, fisheries, tourism, agriculture and physical development 4664521 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-5649 Global Environment Facility NA Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility UNEP Ministry of Environment Sustainable Development; Ministry of Public Utilities; Central Electricity Board CEO Approval Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date ' Mauritius The Republic of Mauritius -20.30 57.58333 +![cdata[Environmental policy and administrative management]]+ 484000.00 484000.00 484000.00 300000 UNEP Ministry of Environment & Sustainable Development; Ministry of Public Utilities; Central Electricity Board 0 UNEP Ministry of Environment & Sustainable Development; Ministry of Public Utilities; Central Electricity Board 217857 UNEP Ministry of Environment & Sustainable Development; Ministry of Public Utilities; Central Electricity Board 113600 UNEP Ministry of Environment & Sustainable Development; Ministry of Public Utilities; Central Electricity Board 535333 UNEP Ministry of Environment & Sustainable Development; Ministry of Public Utilities; Central Electricity Board 285210 UNEP Ministry of Environment & Sustainable Development; Ministry of Public Utilities; Central Electricity Board 1336898 UNEP Ministry of Environment & Sustainable Development; Ministry of Public Utilities; Central Electricity Board 1452000 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-9553 Global Environment Facility To safeguard globally significant biodiversity in vulnerable ecosystems, through the prevention, control, and management of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in the Republic of Mauritius Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility UNDP Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security CEO Endorsement Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date ' Mauritius Port Louis -20.16194 57.49889 +![cdata[Biodiversity]]+ 777653.00 777653.00 777653.00 777653.00 777653.00 64123 UNDP Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security 276832 UNDP Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security 696220 UNDP Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security 550541 UNDP Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security 271192 UNDP Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security 3888265 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-9612 Global Environment Facility To operationalize the new national energy audit scheme of the Republic of Mauritius by addressing and removing technical, institutional and financial barriers to the adoption of energy efficiency measures Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility UNDP Energy Efficiency Management Office (EEMO) CEO Endorsement Date ' Mauritius +![cdata[Energy conservation and demand-side efficiency]]+ 4532164 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-9836 Global Environment Facility To scale up the adoption of sustainable land management (SLM) in production landscapes across Mauritius and Rodrigues. Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility UNDP Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security CEO Approval Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date ' Mauritius Port Louis -20.16194 57.49889 +![cdata[Biodiversity]]+ 566401.33 566401.33 566401.33 9227 UNDP Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security 26967 UNDP Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security 88340 UNDP Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security 363269 UNDP Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security 1699204 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-10260 Global Environment Facility To assist the Republic of Mauritius in strengthening its national greenhouse gas inventory and associated data collection process, and to mainstream greater use of the inventory in policy formulation and NDC tracking Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.The project is aligned with GEF focal area CCM-3-8, i.e. “Foster enabling conditions for mainstreaming mitigation concerns into sustainable development strategies through capacity building initiative for transparency.” The project will contribute to the improvement of local and global environmental conditions through enhancing transparency related to GHG emissions, impacts of climate change, and mitigation and adaptation actions in the country. Strengthened MRV will allow the government to better assess investments in mitigation and adaptation measures, and may result in more efficient expenditures on climate-related activities, which in turn could optimize reductions in GHG emissions. Improved MRV will also allow the government to compare the relative costs and benefits of mitigation and adaptation measures so that it will be able to highlight and support cost-effective, high-impact adaptation measures. This project contributes to the country’s commitments under the UNFCCC to enable it to address climate change considerations (mitigation of GHG emissions and reduction of vulnerability to climate change). project activities contribute directly to increasing the extent to which state institutions base their actions on the principals of sustainable development and increasing the capacities of public actors to implement, monitor, and evaluate policies related to environment, climate change and nature protection. The enhanced MRV system to be proposed under Component 2 is designed to avoid duplication and result in an efficient system that will reduce time burdens and costs to state institutions in data collection and analysis. The project will also assist the country in achieving the SDG 13 by supporting the integration of climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning; building knowledge and improving education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning, and promotion of mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in the country. The project will also contribute to achieving SDG5 by supporting empowerment of women in decision-making, land ownership and through gender-sensitive budgeting.Global Environment Facility UNDP Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change (MoESWMCC) CEO Approval Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date ' Mauritius +![cdata[Environmental policy and administrative management]]+ 423283.33 423283.33 423283.33 192 UNDP Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change (MoESWMCC) 42794 UNDP Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change (MoESWMCC) 52844 UNDP Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change (MoESWMCC) 1269850 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-10372 Global Environment Facility Project Objective: To promote capital investments into developing sustainable transport infrastructure to reduce transport-related GHG emissions in Mauritius to mitigate climate change; engage and build technical capacities of transport-related policymakers, regulatory and other government agencies, financial institutions and the private sector. Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.This project will support the introduction of electric buses for public bus transport in Mauritius, supporting the government’s transport energy strategy goal of increasing deployment of electric buses by 2025, reducing fossil fuel consumption, GHG emissions and pollution from transport sector. The project will also support the government in designing and promulgating conducive policy and regulatory framework for electric bus deployment, associated electric vehicle charging infrastructure and scientific disposal/recycling. The overarching goal is to support the government in transitioning the country towards a modern, low-carbon, gender-sensitive, inclusive and sustainable public bus transport system to complement other modes of low-carbon transport such as MetroExpress. In terms of number of passenger-trips impacted, based on conservative estimates of 35 passengers carried by each full-length e-bus (typical full capacity of 50 passengers) or midi e-bus (typical full capacity of 40 passengers) per long route or last-mile trip from Metro Express stations to neighbourhoods, and assuming each trip to cover 15 km distance; and based on an estimation of 150 km covered by each bus per day, each e-bus is estimated to offer ~350 passenger-trips every day. So 60 full-length and midi e-buses are conservatively estimated to offer ~21,000 passenger trips per day (which is 12.5% of the estimated 80,000 passenger trips per day likely to be offered by MetroExpress once it is fully operational). This works out to ~6.93 Million passenger-trips per annum (assuming 330 days of operations of buses per annum) to be provided by electric bus services that will be deployed with support from this GEF project, when all 60 buses are fully deployed and operational. Other co-benefits that the project will generate, in terms of passenger comfort, safety and satisfaction, as well as increased usage of public transport, are difficult to quantify in advance of the project, but it is clear that they too magnify the value of the project. These benefits will be captured and reported during capture of best practices, project outcomes and lessons learned (Output 5.1) and in the project’s M&E. The project’s outputs and activities are designed not only to address key barriers, but also to complement with each other, such that the comprehensive transport planning, promulgation of conducive policy and regulatory framework and setting of electric bus deployment targets would support and lead to investments from the private sector (bus operators) which would be supported by capital subsidies and facilitation of low-cost debt finance under Component 2. The training and capacity building activities under Component 3 would lead to better skills and capacities among local stakeholders to design, develop, implement, procure and deploy activities under Components 1 and 2, and Component 4 is designed to increase awareness among the general population and create demand for modern, low-carbon public bus transport capacity that will be created by activities under Components 1, 2 and 3. All of these will create a basis for replication, long-term sustainable market transformation, and MRV. The project builds upon a government intent to modernize its public transport system and transition into a low-carbon public transport system, and a commitment to integrating electric mobility in its overall transport system over the next 10 years. Baseline of national policies, regulations and existing project activity – most notably, Bus Modernization Programme, technical specifications for import of electric buses, green credit lines under AFD’s SUNREF program that cover electric mobility investments, and incentives and grid codes for distributed solar power generation under MSDG and SSDG programs. However, the project also provides clear incrementality beyond baseline in both scale and content, by not only defining specific policies and regulations for all aspects of electric bus mobility, but also encouraging multi-modal transport integration among low-carbon transport options being deployed, actual investments into electric buses and solar powered charging station capacity, which are innovative and incremental to Mauritius. Finally, the deployment of electric buses will contribute to climate change adaptation efforts. Electric bus models and their design/technical specifications under this project will be required to take into consideration the impacts of climate change such as flooding and coastal erosion that are commonly seen in Mauritius, thereby contributing to climate change adaptation of public transport. In addition, climate-resilient electric buses and their solar powered charging stations are likely to inspire climate resilience efforts along their pathways through increased green areas and effective designs that can mitigate the effects of possible floods. Moreover, modern e-buses with their zero tailpipe emissions contributed to lower heating and air pollution due to public transport, thereby reducing urban heat island effects in Mauritius, thus contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. In addition, climate resilient designs and technical specifications of electric buses deployed under this project will ensure access to climate resilient public transport to passengers in Mauritius.Global Environment Facility UNDP Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport (MPILT), Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, National Transport Authority (NTA), National Transport Corporation (NTC), Traffic Management and Road Safety Unit (TMRSU), Private Bus Companies CEO Endorsement Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date ' Mauritius +![cdata[Electric mobility infrastructures]]+ +![cdata[Environmental policy and administrative management]]+ 33453 UNDP Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport (MPILT), Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, National Transport Authority (NTA), National Transport Corporation (NTC), Traffic Management and Road Safety Unit (TMRSU), Private Bus Companies 9545 UNDP Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport (MPILT), Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, National Transport Authority (NTA), National Transport Corporation (NTC), Traffic Management and Road Safety Unit (TMRSU), Private Bus Companies 5600607 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-11087 Global Environment Facility To accelerate implementation of nature positive, net-zero pathways at the national level and through investments in nature positive and low-emission solutions in the manufacturing sector Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.The Mauritius child project will bring several socioeconomic benefits including boosting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), savings on imported energy bill and job creation, among others. The scenario analysis that will be used to formulate gendered- and socially-just national and manufacturing sector long-term NZNP strategies will provide quantifiable socioeconomic benefits across multiple green economy indicators that are contained in the monitoring & evaluation framework of the NCCMSAP 2022-2030. An example is used to give an indication of socio-economic benefits of transitioning to a NZ economy in Mauritius. Preliminary scenario analysis that has been carried out under Facilité 2050 by Université des Mascareignes has revealed the following socio-economic benefits will accrue from the phasing of coal (to achieve the objective of the NDC by 2030) by large-scale solar PV with battery storage:[1]· savings on energy bill of ~1% of GDP in 2030· cumulative investments to 2030 around Rs 200.7 billion (USD 4.5 billion[2]), and an economy-wide return on investments of ~9.5 years· peak job creation around 5,050 jobs (mainly in construction phase), and ~1,500 new long-term jobs (operation and maintenance)· from an equity perspective,[3] the phasing out of coal with solar PV and battery storage will increase the average price of electricity by 1.7 Rs/kWh that corresponds to only 1.3% of the minimum monthly wage. The financial and economic contributions of the project’s NP outcomes are more difficult to quantify because of the prevailing difficulties in valuing the contributions of ecosystems functions and services in the national economy / balance sheet of economic operators. However, using data from the example given above, NOTEREF _Ref163220378 \h  \* MERGEFORMAT 40 08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F005200650066003100360033003200320030003300370038000000 the job coefficient for well managed ecosystems is around 2 persons / ha managed. With the core indicator of 150 ha under improved management of nature, around 300 new jobs can be created for this specific NP output. [1] Prakash N.K Deenapanray and Andrea M. Bassi (2024 in press) Climate change and decarbonisation: a macroeconomic perspective for Mauritius, In Handbook of the Macroeconomy of Mauritius (eds. Carlos Oya, Ramola Ramtohul and Verena Tandrayen-Ragoobur), Oxford University Press, Oxford. [2] 1 USD = 45 Rs [3] There are other scenarios, such as the phasing out of coal using renewable biomass, that result in a reduction in the average cost of electricity. However, large scale plantation of renewable biomass will require trade-offs in land use allocations. Global Environment Facility UNEP Ministry of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives CEO Endorsement Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date ' Mauritius Island of Mauritius -20.3484 57.5833 3286913 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-11254 Global Environment Facility Mainstreaming nature-based solutions (NbS) in land-use systems for productive and resilient ecosystems Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Socioeconomic benefits to be delivered by the project at the national and local levels Strengthened capacities and enhanced cross sectoral coordination will promote integrated and sustainable management of ecosystems and their services in the Republic of Mauritius, with specific implementation of selected interventions in areas covering the project sites. The project will reduce ecosystem degradation and facilitate nature positive development by applying Nature-Based Solutions. The project will place nature at the center of human well-being and generate multiple environmental and societal benefits, through the following four components: Component 1 - Enabling policy environment for the governance and management of healthy and productive ecosystems. The Republic of Mauritius with limited land resources, has a high dependence on ecosystem services. These services are critical for livelihood, social well-being, and economic prosperity, encompassing water security, food production, disaster risk reduction (flood and erosion control), microclimate regulation, and recreational opportunities. While studies on ecosystem valuation exist, Mauritius lacks a formally endorsed national protocol. Consequently, current valuation methods primarily focus on direct economic benefits, such as timber prices for State Forest land. A more holistic approach that incorporates both direct economic values (e.g., wood and non-timber forest products) and indirect benefits (ecosystem services) is essential for Mauritius and Rodrigues, given their limited land resources. Assigning a monetary value to the various benefits ecosystems provide (such as clean water, flood control, fisheries) allows them to be directly compared with economic activities. This facilitates informed choices when considering development projects or resource allocation. It will encourage policies that promote conservation and sustainable land management practices, ensuring these ecosystem services continue to provide benefits for future generations. Valuation will also help to quantify the cost savings these ecosystems provide in terms of disaster risk reduction. By implementing ecosystem valuation, Mauritius can progress towards a more sustainable future where the value of its natural resources is recognized and factored into decision-making. The ecosystem valuation will therefore benefit the economy, environment, and well-being of its citizens. The development and adoption of a regulatory framework to support establishment of a carbon trading system will enhance the economic values attached to forest and tree protection. The framework will also ensure the fair and equitable trade of carbon trading and additional revenue to the country and communities engaging in tree cover enhancement. A multi-stakeholder platform to conduct an inter-sectoral policy review with key recommendations for integrated policy coherence will promote inclusive governance approaches and ensure national coordination in the country leading to consistency in decision making and ensure long term vision achievement. The multi-stakeholder platform will promote a more inclusive and effective approach to policy development, leading to more sustainable land management practices across terrestrial and coastal ecosystems, as well as agricultural lands in Mauritius. Land management issues in Mauritius touch on various sectors like agriculture, forestry, tourism, and infrastructure development. A multi-stakeholder platform will bring together representatives from these diverse groups, ensuring a holistic review that considers all aspects impacting land use. The different stakeholders have valuable knowledge and experience from their respective livelihood interests and lived experiences. The platform will foster communication and collaboration, allowing the stakeholders to share information and develop solutions that address the needs of all sectors. This can lead to more effective and integrated policies for sustainable land management and nature-based solution. The platform can also contribute to identify knowledge and data gaps, and promote social cohesion, as parties highlight their areas of contribution to support capacity gaps. When stakeholders are involved in the review process, they are more likely to understand the importance of the BGI project, understand NbS as a way to attain sustainable development, and feel invested in the success of the resulting policies. This broad ownership can lead to better implementation and enforcement. Necessarily, there will be competing interests regarding land use. The platform can provide a space for open dialogue and negotiation, allowing stakeholders to find common ground and develop workable solutions for sustainable land management and NBS. In addition, the platform can be used to engage the public in the policy review process. This transparency builds trust and fosters a sense of shared responsibility for sustainable land management in Mauritius. Component 2 - Nature-based solutions (NbS) for sustainable, resilient, and productive landscapes. Agroecology and agroforestry offer a promising approach for Mauritian farmers to improve their livelihoods, achieve greater economic security, and become stewards of a healthy environment. The adoption of agroecological principles and agroforestry at farm level to enhance production, soil fertility, and build resilience to climate change will reduce the dependence on chemical fertilizers and the economic cost related to it. Also, the externalities that the import of agricultural inputs represents will reduce considerable to provide a sustainable form of agriculture more beneficial in the short, medium, and long term. Moreover, agroecology practices such as cover cropping and compost application, improve soil fertility and water retention, leading to potentially higher yields and better drought tolerance. Increased plant diversity in agroecological systems generally attracts more beneficial insects like pollinators and natural predators, reducing pest problems and potentially improving crop yields. Agroforestry integrates trees with crops or livestock, providing additional source of income from fruits, timber and other non-timber products. This can also create opportunities for carbon sequestration projects or selling ecosystem services. By promoting healthy ecosystems and soil, agroecology and agroforestry can make farms more resilient to extreme weather events like floods and droughts, reducing potential losses. In addition to the direct economic benefits, agroforestry and agroecology offers several environmental benefits. Tree cover in agroforestry systems helps to reduce soil erosion from wind and rain. Agroforestry can improve water infiltration and retention in the soil, reducing need for irrigation and mitigating the impact of droughts. By creating diverse habitats, these practices promote biodiversity, which benefits the overall health of the ecosystem. Pesticide-free local bio-fertilizers, seed banks and domestic certification system to support transition to organic production and healthier living and eating, will be developed to sustain a healthy lifestyle with pesticide free and nutritious source of food leading to a healthier population and decrease in the cost of health expenses both at individual and national level. Agroecological practices can also help farmers access these premium markets, potentially fetching higher prices for their produce. NbS technologies will promote climate-resilient value chains through agroecological production methods to support the tourism sector and upscaled. This will give opportunities to better employment opportunities and promoting the destination as a nature friendly destination thus increasing the revenues from the sector as well. Locally sourced, environmentally-friendly food, can be a special appeal to tourists. Agroecology encourages a focus on local, seasonal food commodities. It can provide a reliable source of fresh, high-quality food for hotels and restaurants serving tourists and ultimately reduce reliance on imported food and strengthens the local economy. Agroecological practices can also be integrated with community-based tourism initiatives. Tourists can visit farms, learn about sustainable practices, and support local livelihoods, fostering a deeper connection with the destination. Agroecological practices promote healthier ecosystems and more scenic landscapes. This can align with the interests of tourists who may be interested in wildlife viewing or nature-based activities. Healthy ecosystems created through agroecology are more resilient to floods, droughts, and storms, which can disrupt tourism operations. Agroecology can contribute to protect tourism businesses and ensures a more reliable tourist experience. The afforestation of mangroves and climate resilient species carried out jointly with several stakeholders will further strengthen eco-tourist initiatives and at the same time promote a healthier environment that is resilient to the hazards of climate change. Mangroves act as natural barriers, protecting coastlines from erosion, storm surges, and floods. The mangroves reduce sedimentation and pollutants in lagoon, protecting coral reefs. Beside their protective function, restored mangroves and forests create stunning natural landscapes, providing scenic beauty for tourists who love nature. Healthy mangrove ecosystems also support diverse fauna, attracting wildlife enthusiasts and creating opportunities for activities like birdwatching, guided nature walks, and snorkeling near restored coral reefs protected by mangroves. Mangroves and coastal forests also provide opportunities for unique and educational ecotourism experiences. Tourists can learn about the vital role these ecosystems play in the environment, participate in projects like tree planting. This fosters a deeper appreciation for the natural world and a connection to the place. In Mauritius specifically, mangrove restoration efforts can be combined with existing attractions like boat tours in lagoons or kayaking adventures. Tourists can learn about the ecological importance of mangroves while enjoying the beauty of the restored habitat. Similarly, reforestation efforts in upland areas can be linked with hiking trails or birdwatching expeditions, allowing tourists to experience the restored forests while appreciating their role in preserving native wildlife and water resources. Ecotourism based on restored ecosystems can create economic opportunities for local communities living near these areas. They can act as guides, manage ecotourism lodges, or sell local crafts and products to tourists. Revenue generated from ecotourism can be channelled back into mangrove restoration and reforestation efforts, creating a positive feedback loop, where a healthy ecosystem attracts tourists, generating funds for further conservation and restoration. Component 3 - Unlocking private sector capital for improved ecosystem services and livelihood opportunities Public-private partnerships upscaling for restoration of high value ecosystems in threatened zones to support tourism and biodiversity will ensure that the barriers of limited resources are overcome and ensuring sustainability and inclusion of all the actors of society in protecting and preserving the fragile ecosystems. Examples of creation of new wilderness areas to increase tourist destinations to rehabilitated forests can be found at Ebony Forest in Chamarel and Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve. The implementation of financial instruments in terms of incentives and insurance schemes once developed for private landowners and farmers to convert degraded lands to agroforestry will further enhance the quantity and quality of forests in the Republic of Mauritius which ultimately will provide a cleaner and healthier environment for the present and future generations. Incentives will also ensure the sustainability of the initiatives in the long term. These measures will also increase availability of locally produced fruits and vegetables that can further strengthen the supply to hotel chains and the local markets as well as food transformation. Component 4 - Knowledge management and learning for scaling. Peer partnerships among SIDS support centralized information platforms, biodiversity monitoring, community-based knowledge sharing, and best practices documentation will bring effective changes and additional knowledge base that can be deployed for the benefit of the communities. Raised awareness of farmers, government, and private sector in sector-specific strategies to protect critical ecosystems through farmer field school will further the continuity of the interventions post project and lay the foundations of a robust society based on best practices and sustainability. Benefits translate in supporting the achievement of global environment benefits The proposed outputs under component 1, on enabling policies for effective governance and management of healthy and productive ecosystems, will deliver environmental benefits from improvements in watershed and landscape rehabilitation and restoration, coastal zone management and protection and increase in vegetation cover and soil conservation. The outputs under component 2, on NbS for sustainable, resilient, and productive landscapes supporting food security will provide intrinsic adaptation benefits, which will increase resilience of livelihoods amongst vulnerable communities mainly the farmers and fishers through implementation of restoration and planting activities and agroforestry systems. As mentioned in the Core Indicators at Section B.2 about 17,000 ha of land area including degraded lands, water catchment and environmentally sensitive areas will be restored and reinstated through NbS to deliver improved functioning ecosystem services and improved production practices to improve watershed functions, reducing sedimentation and related costs to downstream water infrastructure; carbon sequestration; and higher productivity of land resources put under sustainable land management in Mauritius and Rodrigues, which will generate local and global environmental benefits and increase resilience to the deleterious impacts of climate change. Given the importance on environmental sustainability, the Government recognizes the natural resources as a key finite and fragile resource that plays an important role in supporting livelihoods, economic growth and ultimately human wellbeing as well as adapting to extreme weather conditions to the impacts of climate change. Adopting the NbS and integrated land management balances different stakes and needs of targeted stakeholders, while anticipating future impacts of economic development pathways and climate change; in order to meet multiple objectives such as land degradation neutrality, secure watershed services, biodiversity conservation, carbon storage, as well as to support resilient economic development, agricultural production and livelihoods. Promoting full and productive employment and decent work in rural areas Through the adoption of NbS, production of farming communities will be less vulnerable to climate change impacts and the also from extreme weather conditions. The direct effect on the farming community will be the production that goes according to their plans and thus securing their investments. The multiple products that would be produced throughout the year will ensure a constant income through out the year and therefore ensure a proper planning in the individual households therefore promoting constant employment opportunities and dignity. A value chain platform exists with the farmers community and hotel industry. To ensure higher standards of the hospitality sector, the project will support the promotion of bio/organic products in the tourism sector. There are growing eco-hotels, and facilities which require the sourcing of such produce from farmers and suppliers that offer organic options and/or are sustainably produced. The minimum wage threshold set up by the government would be implemented by beneficiary agricultural entrepreneurs towards their employees. This would also be complemented by accompanying measures by through incentives and subsidies to farmers and their employees who would enjoy constant income streams along with government support. Government commitments in line with the ILO declaration on fundamental principles and rights at work. The project will ensure fair and equal opportunities to everyone to access the project benefits and implement occupational health and safety standards in place as well as those of minimum wages and salaries as per the national laws guiding employment and its conditions associated with it including grievance mechanisms with a special focus on women groups, youth, disabled workers and wage labor. The project will also seek interventions that increase livelihoods thereby supporting greater financial stability for project participants.Global Environment Facility FAO Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security CEO Endorsement Date ' Mauritius 8406484 GEF