Trade and Ecological Transition at the Heart of Climate Challenges

On Thursday, January 22, the Mauritian government, in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC), released a report titled "Trade and Climate Change in Mauritius," as part of the Climate Competitiveness Project funded by the European Union. Launched in June 2023, this project aims to assist developing countries in integrating climate objectives into their trade policies and participating in the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD) of the World Trade Organization (WTO). For Mauritius, a small island nation facing significant environmental challenges, this alignment is crucial.

The report analyzes the impacts of climate change on trade and explores how trade can support the ecological transition. It identifies opportunities in key sectors such as sugar, fishing, clothing, essential oils, and tourism, where sustainability standards can enhance the country's competitiveness. During the WTO's Trade and Environment Week in July 2025, Mauritius presented its initiatives to leverage trade as a tool for climate resilience, highlighting the challenge of lithium-ion battery waste from electric vehicles. To address the limited volume of batteries, the country is developing regional cooperation and extended producer responsibility programs to make recycling economically viable. With transportation responsible for 25% of national emissions, the transition to electric vehicles remains a key pillar of the national climate strategy.