Climate Compatible Development: Legal Implications in the Coastal Zone and Inclusive Development for Mauritius

Abstract

Climate change impacts as well as coastal development affect the livelihoods of the coastal communities mainly the fishermen, agriculturalist and farmers who are highly dependent on the coastal resources to earn a living. There is at present a need to strengthen coastal zone management to cater for climate change impacts as well as to provide room for inclusive coastal development so that the main economic sector (tourism), highly dependent on coastal resources, continues to flourish but not at the cost of the livelihoods of the coastal communities. At the same time coastal resources have the characteristics of “a common good” so that property rights issues become prominent and legal implications have to be taken on board. Given the nature of the topic, the authors will deal with it from a multidisciplinary perspective, with highlights from the natural science, legal and social lenses. With facts and figures they will rely on secondary data and relevant legislations to demonstrate the importance of coastal management to foster inclusive development in the fragile economies of Small Island Development States (SIDS) with particular reference to the Mauritian case study. What shall come out of this paper shall eventually achieve public consciousness to sustainable coastal inclusive development for a better Maurice Ile Durable (MID).