Minister of Environment Dr Hussain Rasheed Hassan, on Thursday, announced that Maldives aims to reduce its carbon emissions to 26 percent by 2030.
He made this declaration speaking at the virtually held Climate Adaptation Summit 2021, in the attendance of 18,500 participants, including 50 ministers, 30 world leaders and 50 international organisations.
In his speech, the minister acknowledged the increasing challenges faced by low lying island nations, such as Maldives, due to the impending climate crisis, and noted that measures required to mitigate the effects of climate change require a considerable amount of funding.
Highlighting the pandemics devastating effect on the country’s GDP, Minister Hussain noted that one of the state’s priorities is to kick development projects into high-gear in the attempts of economic recovery.
Although Maldives contributes a measly amount of 0.003 percent in the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions across the globe, the minister asserted that the island nation will show leadership in the fight against climate change, take notable measures, advocate for climate action and remain consistent in its efforts.
He reiterated Maldives’ aim to reach net-zero emissions by 2030, but stressed on the importance of international assistance in achieving the goal.
The Climate Adaptation Summit, hosted by the Netherlands, saw the launch of a comprehensive Adaptation Action Agenda, setting out clear commitments to deliver concrete new endeavours and partnerships to make the world more resilient to the effects of climate change.
As leaders and state representatives continue to advocate on the international climate change front, local environmentalists look to the government's commitment to following through on eco-pledges with wariness, as they continue to express concerns over detrimental practices, such as damaging development projects and failure to implement protective laws, that are still being allowed to take place across the archipelago.
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