Mauritius is one of the leading developing countries in the implementation of cleaner and more fuel efficient vehicle strategies under the Global Fuel Economy Initiative. Mauritius was the first developing country to adopt a feebate tax structure that taxes inefficient vehicles higher and provides a refund to cleaner vehicles. This tax structure was instrumental in promoting the import of modern, more fuel efficient vehicle technologies into the country. With support from GEF funding, the UN Environment has been facilitating Mauritius to review the country’s vehicle and fuel policies and to develop additional policies that can be implemented to further encourage the import and use of cleaner vehicles. The experience of Mauritius in implementing such policies and the proposed additional policy recommendations were presented to stakeholders from the Southern Africa Community Development (SADC) countries and other African countries at a workshop that was held on 12-13 October 2017 in Port Louis, Mauritius.
The workshop was officiated by the host minister Hon. Etienne Sinatambou, Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Environment and Sustainable Development, and the Hon. Nandcoomar Bodha, Minister of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport. UN Environment was represented by Ms Jane Akumu, the focal for Africa on cleaner mobility. Other expert organizations from the region such as the National Automobile Association of South Africa and Sustainable Transport Africa were also represented.
Stakeholders from 13 SADC countries and 5 other African countries involved in cleaner vehicle strategies attended the workshop, with two regional economic bodies - the Economic Community of West African States Commission and the East Africa Community Secretariat also represented.
At the workshop, Mauritius presented draft recommendations made by the 6 working groups formed to look into preparing regulations on vehicle labeling and consumer awareness, feasibility of importing better quality gasoil, socio-economic impact of policy options on low and no emissions vehicles, updating the national vehicle inventories, traffic control measures to reduce transport emissions, and fiscal measures for encouraging energy efficient vehicles.
A roadmap to promote cleaner fuels and vehicle strategies at national and sub-regional level in Africa was developed by the stakeholders. The UN Environment urged stakeholders in attendance to follow up the implementation of the roadmap in their respective countries and committed to continue to coordinate the implementation of the roadmap with the regional bodies.
MEETING PRESENTATIONS
- Experience Algerienne dans la Promotion des Carburants et Vehicules, Propres, Ouazene Mourad, APRUE_Ministere deL'Energie Algeria
- Promoting Cleaner, More Energy Efficient Vehicle Strategies_The Kenyan Experience, Peter Ng'ang'a Kaigwara, Energy Regulatory Commision
- Regional harmonization of fuel and vehicle standards- Experience of the East African Community, Eng. Eric Ntagengerwa, East African Community Secretariat
- Sharing of experiences on fuel economy data analysis, policy considerations, and intervention strategies in Côte d’Ivoire, Hyacinthe Nare, Independent Consultant
- South Africa Vehicle fuel quality and economy progress, Stuart Rayner, National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa
- Towards developing ECOWAS fuel economy roadmap, Bernard Koffi, ECOWAS Commision