The year 2023 was marked by major advances in ecological transition and sustainable development in Martinique. The 2023 Annual Report of the Directorate of Environment, Planning, and Housing (DEAL) highlights ambitious projects and concrete initiatives aimed at transforming the Martinique region amid the climate crisis and evolving infrastructure needs. Here are the main points of this report, which we invite you to explore.
1. Green Transition: The Success of the Green Fund
The DEAL Martinique has placed the ecological transition at the heart of its activities. Thanks to the Green Fund, Martinique was able to fund 29 innovative projects in 2023, with a total investment of 13.36 million euros. These projects span a variety of areas: ecological restoration, the establishment of mooring areas, energy-efficiency upgrades to public buildings, and much more. In particular, the Green Fund has helped support projects such as the creation of a ecological corridor and the promotion of endangered species.
2. Goal: Energy self-sufficiency by 2050
One of the DEAL's priorities is the revision of the Multi-Year Energy Plan (PPE), which sets ambitious goals for the development of renewable energy in Martinique. The report outlines a clear timeline for achieving full energy self-sufficiency by 2050, with the share of renewable energy in the electricity mix expected to reach 100% as early as 2040.
3. A Greener Port of Fort-de-France
The commitment to more environmentally friendly maritime transport is reflected in the Greening of the Grand Port Maritime de la Martinique, as part of the «Ocean Green Corridor» project. This project, with funding of more than 10 million euros, aims to transform port infrastructure to meet environmental requirements and the growing needs of shipping operators such as CMA CGM.
4. Ensuring Safe Mobility and Combating Substandard Housing
In parallel with the ecological transition, the DEAL has stepped up its efforts to make transportation safer and meet the need for public housing in Martinique. The year 2023 was marked by a significant decline in traffic fatalities and an increase in projects to non-motorized transportation, including the creation of 45 km of bike paths by 2025.
On the housing front, the Housing Day drew more than 1,000 visitors, highlighting the importance of rethinking housing to meet the expectations of the people of Martinique. The DEAL also stepped up its efforts to combat substandard housing by launching concrete rehabilitation initiatives.
5. Adapting to Climate Risks
The report also discusses the implementation of a major project to spatial reorganization in Prêcheur, aimed at protecting communities from natural hazards. This project includes the relocation of several hundred households and the construction of sustainable infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather events.
6. Sustainable Coastal Management and Combating Sargassum
In response to the massive strandings of Sargassum, the DEAL has created a Public Interest Group (GIP) to coordinate efforts to manage and clean up the coastlines of Martinique. More than 2 million euros were deployed for operations ranging from cleanup at sea to the installation of barriers along the coastline, helping to limit the impact of this ecological disaster.
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