The Maldives Climate Plan
The Maldives is very vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to it being one of the low-lying nations. On 15 February 2024, The Maldives launched their new National Adaptation Plan project in which institutional arrangement and technical capacity will be strengthened.
GHRTV
19-02-2024
Dara Masita
Human Rights Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence
As the effects of climate change get worse day by day, more nations become more vulnerable. Being an archipelago, The Maldives is one of the most vulnerable nations facing the consequences of climate change since it is one of the most low-lying nations. The problem of rising sea levels and increased temperature is very detrimental.
Rising sea levels have the potential to cause severe flooding due to no higher ground in the nation’s territorial integrity. Most recent projections foresee that the Maldives could drown until 2085 if the sea keeps rising one metre. Coupled with beach erosion and storms, these natural phenomena would severely damage the island nation.
In addition, the rising temperature is also a bothersome problem. With increased temperature, the corals will bleach which will make them more susceptible to death. Less coral means a lesser degree of protection from storm surges as well as a decrease in biodiversity in the ecosystem. Considering the significant contribution of fishery and tourism, this could severely affect the economy of the Maldives. This could even affect the economy of the Maldives since tourism and fishery industries bring significant revenue.
The Maldivian government is very aware of its vulnerability. Hence last week on 15 February, it developed a National Adaptation Plan (NAP). This project received a budget of $2.8 million sponsored by the Green Climate Fund. The NAP will strengthen institutional arrangements and enhance technical capacity to build a strong basis for generating high-quality climate information for adaptation planning. It will develop a funding strategy for the implementation of the plan and its solutions, as well as integrate climate change adaptation into new and existing policies.
This NAP is built on a previously-established climate policy framework which aims to use low-emission developments as a way to stabilise Greenhouse Gas emissions, and adaptation and opportunity to focus on the recovery of the ecosystem, food production, and economic development.
So far, the Maldives have been consistent in their fight for climate change. The stakes are high for this island nation if a natural disaster or a more severe climate change-induced natural disaster happens. With the escalating consequences of climate change, we should be more mindful of our actions toward the environment.
Sources and further reading:
Adam Behsudi, ‘No Higher Ground’ (IMF, 2021) <https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/2021/09/maldives-climate-change-aminath-shauna-trenches> accessed 21 February 2024.
Mudassra Mushtaque, ‘Green Insecurity in Maldives: Keeping the Heads above Water’ (CSCR, 2019) <https://cscr.pk/explore/themes/energy-environment/green-insecurity-in-maldives-keeping-the-heads-above-water/> accessed 21 February 2024.
‘Maldives Climate Change Policy Framework 2015-2025’ (FAO) <https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/fr/c/LEX-FAOC172920/> accessed 21 February 2024.
‘Maldives rests hope on new National Adaptation Plan to tackle climate change’ (UNEP, 2024) <https://www.unep.org/gan/news/press-release/maldives-rests-hope-new-national-adaptation-plan-tackle-climate-change> accessed 21 February 2024.
