During my placement in Mauritius, I made it a priority to travel and live as sustainably as possible. I recognised that while studying abroad offers invaluable cultural and academic experiences, it also contributes to global carbon emissions and local environmental strain—especially in island ecosystems. Mauritius, while known for its natural beauty, faces mounting ecological pressures including coral bleaching, plastic pollution, and rising temperatures.
As an island nation reliant on tourism, Mauritius faces a dual challenge: balancing economic reliance on visitors with the need to protect fragile ecosystems. Air travel was my largest environmental impact. To mitigate this, I used the MyClimate.org platform to calculate and offset my flight emissions by supporting renewable energy projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
Transportation within the country was another consideration. Mauritius has limited public transport outside urban areas, so I opted for walking and cycling for all short-distance travel. For longer journeys, I took the bus or car shared whenever available, with my friends.
With the help of friends, we purchased and distributed water filters to students and local households. This initiative aimed to reduce the heavy reliance on single-use plastic bottles in Mauritius, promoting access to clean drinking water while encouraging sustainable, long-term habits across both the student community and local residents.
My experience in Mauritius strengthened my belief that sustainability is not a one-time action, but a consistent approach to everyday decisions. Through responsible travel, local partnerships, and digital innovation, I minimised my impact and promoted sustainable practices among peers. I hope these efforts contribute to a growing global culture of mindful, eco-conscious students abroad.
My actions aligned with the following SDGs:
SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): I avoided single-use plastics by carrying a reusable bottle, bamboo toothbrush etc, and cloth bags. I encouraged peers to do the same and helped clean up beaches with my friends in the evening while fishing.
SDG 14 (Life Below Water): Mauritius’s coral reefs are at risk. I raised awareness about sunscreen ingredients that harm marine life with my coworkers
Resources Used
UN SDG Knowledge Platform – to understand and align with the most relevant goals.
MyClimate.org – for offsetting my carbon footprint and finding verified carbon reduction projects.
IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) – to understand Mauritius’s renewable energy strategies.
World Economic Forum Articles – particularly their coverage on plastic reuse and the circular economy.
WWF Reports on Plastic Pollution in Coastal Regions – to understand the local impact of marine plastics and justify our clean-up and reuse initiative.
