Mauritius Consultation Conference: the African Mayors Climate Change Declaration 2011

2011/07/26-27

The African Mayors Climate Change Declaration 2011

“...calling on nations to deliver an equitable and comprehensive global deal at the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties 17 (UNFCCC COP17).”

In the months ahead of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties 17 (UNFCCC COP17), ICLEI Africa continues to mobilise support for the African Mayors Climate Change Declaration, which was adopted during the Local Climate Solutions for Africa 2011 Congress in February this year.

ICLEI Africa’s Climate Change Adaptation team recently held the African Mayors Climate Change Declaration - Mauritius Consultation Conference, which took place in Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius from 26 - 27 July. The event is one of a number of consultation conferences that will be held in key cities in Africa, including Walvis Bay, Namibia, Lagos, Nigeria; and Durban, South Africa.

 
Discussions in Port Louis highlighted the expensive consequences of non-action at the city level, in the light of proposed costly greening initiatives: Dr. Peter Johnston of the Climate Systems Analysis Group at the University of Cape Town emphasised the long term financial benefits of mitigation.

 
Lord Mayor of Port Louis, Hon. Mahmad Kodabaccus, recognised that “all sectors are affected by climate change”.  He envisages advocacy for sustainable development within Port Louis, and plans to create a greener, cleaner and safer municipality with solar panels providing street lighting before the end of 2011, among other projects. He emphasised his support of Port Louis being one of the cities participating in ICLEI Africa’s Five City Network Project: Sub-Saharan Cities: A five City Network to Pioneer Climate Adaptation through Participation Research and Local Action.

 
The two day event also saw the Mayors of Curepipe, Quatre Bornes and Vacoas in Mauritius signing the Declaration during a dinner event hosted by the Mayor of Port Louis, with high-level guests such as the Minister of Environment.  A number of Mayors from the surrounding islands of Madagascar, Seychelles, Comores and Reunion also pledged their support behind the African Mayors Climate Change Declaration at an exclusive Mayors’ meeting held in Port Louis later that week.

We encourage all African local authorities who have not pledged their support for the Declaration 2011 to do so, here».