Keele lecturer publishes policy brief for future decision making on Chagos Islands

A new policy brief by a Keele University lecturer sets out recommendations for how decision making and management for the Chagos Islands and its coral reefs should be approached.

In May, the UK government signed a long-planned deal to hand the Chagos Islands, a British overseas territory, to Mauritius – raising questions over the environmental implications for the islands, which are uninhabited by a civilian population.

The policy brief published by Dr Adam Moolna, a Lecturer in Environment and Sustainability at Keele, highlights how the coming months present a ‘critical window’ for the Government of Mauritius in shaping approaches for future management of the islands. Published today and aimed at decision-makers, it sets out the case for a 'business-as-usual' scenario in the immediate future, pending implementation of a thorough environmental and social impact assessment framework.

Highlighting how future policies will ultimately be a political decision for Mauritius, including whether to pursue development or establish population centres on the islands, the brief argues that such decisions need to be informed by a purposefully designed environmental assessment (EA) for Chagos.

Dr Moolna said: "A purposefully designed EA for Chagos is crucial for a sustainable future and to proactively address identified weaknesses in Mauritius’ existing frameworks.

"The Government of Mauritius has a window of opportunity to establish a state-of-the-art approach to long-term decision-making and management for the islands and coral reef ecosystems of Chagos. An inclusive and environmentally sustainable future will depend on careful and informed decision-making."

The policy brief was developed through a collaboration with academics at North-West University, in South Africa.