Two Years to save the planet

Author

Dr. Ginelle Greene-Dewasmes,
​Programme Manager, iDERA

Two Years to Save the Planet and the People who will make it happen

Key Takeaways:

• Importance of Actor Participation: Energy transition lessons from small islands show that a balance between top-down decisions and participatory processes is key to long-term success.
• Decision-Making Approaches Matter: Mauritius' top-down approach achieved faster progress but lacked long-term inclusivity, while Barbados’ slower, more inclusive process fosters resilience.
• Lessons for Global Transitions: to meet global climate targets both cases demonstrate the need for adaptive governance models, consistent policy enforcement, and democratized access to opportunities. ​

“Who exactly has two years to save the world?
​The answer is every person on this planet.”

Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary,
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),
April 2024

As we head into Climate Week, governments around the globe face a pressing 2025 deadline to deliver stronger national climate plans to avert climate catastrophe. At this pivotal moment, there is an urgent need to complement technical solutions with a stronger focus on the people and transition actors who will drive these complex, systems-level transformations. While technology is essential in achieving sustainable transitions to cleaner energy, mobility, and agri-food systems (Geels, 2011), understanding the multi-stakeholder landscape behind these efforts is equally crucial.

Clean energy transition lessons from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Barbados and Mauritius offer critical insights into the role of actor participation in driving global transition efforts. 

The Importance of Actor Participation in Transitions

Barbados and Mauritius, exemplify how actor participation can shape transition outcomes. Due to their size, isolation, and social-economic characteristics, SIDS are well-suited to study sustainability transitions in a contained environment. Both nations face significant economic vulnerability and have adopted sustainable energy policies as part of their development agendas. By 2020, Mauritius had achieved substantial renewable energy integration in its electricity sector, while Barbados lagged in meeting its ambitious targets. Interestingly, stakeholders in Mauritius expressed concerns about the long-term sustainability of these gains, whereas in Barbados, despite delays, actors remained optimistic about surpassing targets.

This divergence in outcomes can be linked to differences in actor participation, underscoring the critical role that societal actors — governments, private sector, civil society — play in driving societal transitions. Governments lead, but these transitions increasingly require diverse actors to collaborate, fostering learning, network development, and innovation. Yet, primary and secondary research on clean energy transition indicates that while diversity can enhance transitions, too much diversity without clear roles and coordination can slow progress.

Decision Making and Rule Formation

In Mauritius, a top-down, non-participatory approach to decision-making enabled faster policy development. The government introduced its Long-Term Energy Strategy in 2009, more than a decade before Barbados. However, the lack of stakeholder engagement resulted in outdated clean energy targets and issues with transparency. Mauritius' centralized approach allowed it to achieve swift renewable energy uptake but left gaps in long-term inclusivity and sustainability.

In contrast, Barbados adopted a more participatory approach, engaging public, private, and civil society actors in energy policymaking. This collaborative process, while slower, created broader ownership of the energy transition. Barbados’ Electric Light and Power Advisory Committee served as a cross-sectoral body for consultations, helping shape policy frameworks. However, limited government capacity to act on stakeholder input slowed renewable energy adoption.

Both countries could benefit from more reflexive policymaking-, where feedback loops allow for periodic stakeholder consultations and the incorporation of industry feedback. Such adaptive governance models could enhance the effectiveness of long-term transition strategies.

Rule Enforcement and Policy Consistency

Consistent government action across administrations is vital for sustaining transition momentum. Mauritius exemplifies this, with successive governments honouring energy contracts with the private sector, ensuring continued progress. Independent Power Producers (IPPs) played a critical role in driving renewable energy supply, contributing approximately 60% of total renewable electricity generation in 2017. Legal reforms like the 2005 Electricity Act further supported decentralization and private sector engagement in energy supply.

By contrast, Barbados struggled to introduce an economic model attractive enough for IPPs, impeding its renewable energy goals. Stakeholders identified the need for a fixed feed-in tariff to incentivize private investment, ensure cost recovery, and create cash flow for reinvestment. The delay in addressing these issues, coupled with the interests of the privately owned utility company Barbados Light & Power, slowed progress.

​Distribution of Opportunities and Access to Information

Empowering the right actors is crucial for maximizing renewable energy opportunities. In Mauritius, a publicly owned utility enabled broader participation in renewable energy projects. Conversely, in Barbados, the private utility company had little incentive to facilitate new entrants in energy supply, limiting participation to small-scale projects. The private sector's role in Barbados remained largely advisory, advocating for regulatory reform but unable to engage in large-scale projects.

Both countries could enhance their energy transitions by democratizing the sector and creating wider economic opportunities through legislative and policy reforms. In Barbados, nearly 90% of respondents highlighted the need for updated regulatory frameworks to enable broader participation in renewable energy development.

Lessons for Global Transitions
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​Barbados and Mauritius offer critical lessons on the importance of managing actor diversity in energy transitions. A successful transition landscape balances top-down decisiveness with participatory inclusion, ensuring that policies reflect both technical expertise and societal needs. Mauritius' rapid progress highlights the benefits of centralized decision-making, but its exclusion of key stakeholders could undermine long-term gains. Conversely, Barbados' slower but more inclusive approach lays the groundwork for a more resilient and widely supported energy transition.
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The ideal scenario for driving large-scale sustainable transitions would blend elements from both cases, incorporating reflexive policymaking, consistent rule enforcement, and democratized access to opportunities. This model offers valuable insights for other developing and developed nations striving to meet global climate goals.
As we transition from Climate week into COP29 “every voice makes a difference” (Simon Stiell). As we seek to achieve this, findings from Barbados and Mauritius underscore the importance of understanding the transition actors at play in both small and large economies.

Note: This article is an updated reflection based on an initial research project conducted comparing green energy transition in SIDS.
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