The Environment and Climate Change Committee of the Parliament, on Tuesday, applauded the current administration's bold commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.
In a move described as one where "Maldives is showing that climate-vulnerable countries are at the forefront of action and ambition", President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced Maldives' commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030 at the United Nations Climate Ambition Summit held to mark the anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement.
According to the Parliament committee "with this new target, Maldives has jumped ahead as one of the leaders' in the race to a net-zero future".
The low-lying island nation, at the forefront of suffering from the consequences of global warming and climate change, has remained vocal about the climate crisis in the international arena, especially advocating on behalf of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
President Solih expressed that Maldives would need international financing mechanisms and the right support to achieve the net-zero emission goal, a statement that the Parliament committee also echoed, noting that it is essential for international fiscal aid groups to support Maldives.
The committee suggested that Maldives acknowledges the Climate Prosperity Plans, launched by the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), and other such programmes, to facilitate the financial requirement to progress in lowering emissions and increasing climate resilience to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030.
Although President Solih has declared Maldives' commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030 with international support, it is of note that little has been done overall to reduce emissions till date. The government, state bank and local councils continue to show respective leniences over vehicular import, low instalment and loans for vehicles, and stalling of introducing subsidiaries or removing fees for those seeking renewable energy options. The generally lacklustre road controls, particularly in capital Male', also contribute to emissions, rounded out with a poor record of enforcement.
The Maldivian Parliament declared a climate emergency in February. However, despite Maldives' stance in the international arena, including advocacy at the COP summits and the country's call to criminalise ecocide at the International Criminal Court (ICC), the government faces criticism from environmental activists and NGOs over continuing to reclaim land and lagoon areas for development purposes, often in contrast with the ruling party's own electoral pledges.
Despite the state’s various pledges to tackle imminent threats to the environment, local NGOs, movements and advocates have accused the government of failing to 'walk the talk' and live up to electoral pledges made with respect to sustainable development and halting environmental degradation.
Local environmental collective ‘Save Maldives’ recently slammed President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the government for continuing unsustainable development projects such as the reclamation of Gulhifalhu, Kaafu Atoll, reportedly funded by foreign loans of USD 300 million.
Save Maldives had criticised President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration earlier in February as well, for disregarding sustainable development in a time of national and global crisis. At the time, the Ministry of Planning and Infrastructure had overturned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s rejection for the proposed development of Maafaru International Airport.
Additionally, key pieces of protective legislation, including laws banning the procurement of coconut palms from local islands or the government's pledge to establish EPA as an independent authority, remain yet to be passed or even put into motion.
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