Reunion Green Revolution



29 juin 2017

REUNION, GREEN REVOLUTION
Solar and innovation island


Everyone has, each at their own level, a true responsibility. Climate change, ecological footprint, the need to protect species and natural habitats, blue economy, green revolution, renewable energies ...

Throughout the world, initiatives are being taken at a national, subnational and local levels.

Small island economies following the example of La Réunion are, in this part of the world, one of the first sentries of climate change.

In Reunion Island, we fully commit to the minimal environmental impact approach and affirmative action, particularly emphasized by partnerships established for several years, with national and international networks that defend the same idea.

Being a responsible actor is the meaning of the actions taken, through the support to sustainable tourism, renewable energies, protection and valorization of biodiversity ...
The success of a green revolution will be the result of our collective responsibility, the commitment to our planet.

Didier ROBERT
Senator, President of the Région Réunionnais
nrg4SD Vice-President for Africa


La Reunion, solar island and innovative land
Reunion citizens, actors committed to the planet

With its pitons, circuses and ramparts classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, La Reunion is one of 34 hot spots of biodiversity in the world. The Réunion Region, responsible for the economic strategy and sustainable development, carries out actions to raise public awareness about issues related to environments conservation and the development of new energy sources for several years, through its “Reunion Island, solar island and land of innovation” program,

The region has stimulated this dynamic in all its activities, particularly in the fields of mobility and transport, through the management of major public infrastructures projects and the implementation of solutions to produce renewable energies. This commitment is registered at a local level in the Regional Climate, Air and Energy Plan (SRCAE for its acronym in French). This document sets out the main guidelines for energy management, including energy autonomy of the island in 2030.

In the energy sector, concrete measures will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the volume of imported fossil fuels, increase the number of houses equipped with solar water heaters and provide the citizens of La Reunion and improved access to renewable energies.

- The photovoltaic check system : financial assistance and incentives for individuals and farmers, for the purchase of a photovoltaic power plants with a capacity of 1 to 9 kWp, with or without energy storage system. The amount of the aid depends on the energy levels and type of the photovoltaic plant and amounts up to 6000 €.

- The solidarity-based eco-system : which enables the most disadvantaged households in Reunion to equip themselves with solar water heaters and reduce their electricity bills by at least 30%. The regional government makes available a guarantee fund of up to € 2,400.


La Reunion in international organizations : Partners for better actions

Le nrg4SD
(Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development) is an international network which represents only subnational governments that share common interests in climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development. Founded in 2002 at the World Summit in Johannesburg, it now has more than 56 members from 28 countries on four continents. Since September 7, 2015, Didier Robert is Vice President of nrg4SD for Africa.

The Climate Group
To participate in the "Clean Revolution" program, La Réunion became the first ultra-marine region to integrate the Climate Group. The signing of the accession agreement took place in London with President Mark Kender the 20th of February 2012. The Climate Group is a non-governmental organization with 78 members around the world. Among the main principles it defends and shares are reducing the effects of greenhouse gas emissions.

WWF France
The Reunion Region signed an agreement with WWF France and its President Isabelle Autissier on November 30, 2012. In this framework agreement, WWF France and the Reunion Region set up to undertake awareness-raising events and mobilizations aimed to preserve and improve the biodiversity of the Reunion Island, while at the same time encourage and promote behavior changes towards environment conservation (eg Pandathlon).

R20 « Region of climate action »
The Reunion Regions signed its adhesion the 24th of June, 2013. Chaired by Arnold Schwarzenegger, the R20 is an international organization that brings together local governments, private companies, financial and academic institutions, governmental and intergovernmental organizations and United Nations agencies. Their objectives are developing and implement sustainable projects at a regional level throughout the world.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (UICN)
The Region has been a member of IUCN since April 2015. This environmental organization supports scientific research and manages field projects around the world, bringing together governments, NGOs, United Nations organizations, businesses and communities to develop and implement policies, laws and good practices.