About

The Maldives is among the most vulnerable to predicted climate change and non-action is not an option for the country. No part of the chain of 1 200 low-lying islets rises more than six feet (1.8 meters) or so above sea level, leaving the 400 000 inhabitants there at great risk of rising sea levels and storm surges. The number of scientific and technical assessments undertaken in the country since 1987 has reiterated the vulnerability of Maldives to climate change.

Climate change and associated sea level rise represents a catastrophe in the making for Maldives with potentially devastating consequences for health, land, infrastructure, economy and food security in the Maldives.

With international leaders calling for political headship to combat climate change, it is evident that now is the time to act. President Mohamed Nasheed announced the government’s intention to make the Maldives the world’s first carbon neutral country within the next decade. In this regard, the government has been working with the international climate energy experts to draw up an eco-plan for going carbon neural. A radical shift from fossil fuel to renewable energy production lies at the heart of the eco-plan.

Maldives’ climate policy is driven by objectives of the Climate Change Convention and the scientific facts put forward by the IPCC. Maldives strives to demonstrate leadership in mitigation activities, reducing the national green house gas emissions and demonstrate commitment to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Strategy

Driving forward international agreements on climate change.

International agreement and major action on climate change is critical to the sustainability of the Maldives. Therefore it is important that the Maldives maintains a high profile in international discussions and negotiations on climate change.

The Maldives actively participates in international discussions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Maldives will step up its participation in AOSIS, LDC, G77 and other international bodies to promote the activity of these groups in driving international agreement and action on climate change.

Mitigation actions in the Maldives.

The country will need to show leadership in mitigation actions in the Maldives to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions. This will demonstrate commitment to stopping climate change.

The Maldives is committed to become a carbon neutral nation by 2019. This will need to be achieved by investments in renewable energy, investments in other technology, widespread education and awareness-raising, sharing of best practices, and other focused actions.

Adaptation actions in the Maldives.

The National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) of the Maldives was published in December 2006. As a core component of this strategy, the Maldives will plan, prioritise and implement the adaptation programmes in the NAPA, including coastal zone protection, land use management and protection of critical infrastructure. This component will also involve the facilitation of the sharing of good practices.

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