Barely head above water

Over 34 years ago, on 19 October 1987, the tiny archipelago of pristine islands, home to a people known for their hospitality and humbleness, broached the subject of climate change. Then-President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom stood at the podium before the 42nd General Assembly of the United Nations and stated “a mean sea level rise of 2 metres would… be the death of a nation.” And the world listened.

It is widely accepted that his speech was what set the ball rolling on the increased attention given to humanity’s adverse effects on the fragile climate and the loss of life, property, and future, due to this. By 1988, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was created, tasked by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), to prepare scientific summaries on all aspects of climate change and its impacts – including  realistic response strategies.

In 1993, the Maldivian government ratified the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (4/93), further ‘walking the talk.’ Under this law, environmental conservation is given priority and the ministries implementing it have the right to stop projects that contradict sustainability. By 2007, the authorities also established the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, which incorporated the key role of building awareness and environmental health into the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects.

Twenty two years have passed since then, with a multitude of international treaties signed, promises made and plans drawn on paper and sand. Global warming has come centre stage. 

Numerous, almost uncountable numbers of scientific studies all pointed in the same direction; developed nations leading with industrial efforts contributed the most in terms of greenhouse gases, pollution in the oceans with both waste and oil spills, and wanton deforestation, over-exploitation of mineral resources, over-fishing the oceans, rewriting geography with destructive infrastructure such as dams and pipelines… the list could, and does, go on. Yet the crux of the matter is how it is the least developed and developing populations of the world who are suffering the consequences.

By studying the carbon output of these industrial nations, climate scientists showed with certainty how emission levels correlated with a rise in global temperature - emission levels that could be controlled if the nations involved committed to it.  While it was nigh impossible to halt industry in its tracks, at least slowing down the emission rates was a possibility, either by alternatives in energy and raw materials, improving the efficiency of the machines used in industry, and other conscious choices. The argument professed was that a 2 degree celcius rise in temperature was the most humanity can allow. If not, it has to face the direst of consequences when the climate shifts unpredictably.

During these conversations, the Maldives once again stood at the forefront, carrying the legacy that President Maumoon had set in motion. During the Conference of Parties (COP) 15 held in 2009, Maldivian youth spoke on the global stage, urging the participating nations to reconsider their plans and to opt for more sustainability. Then President Mohamed Nasheed, freshly elected to office, took the torch and was bestowed 'The Island President' for his impassioned pleas during the conference. He made the Maldivian people proud by making the country's plight heard in front of the rest of the world, and arguably affected the negotiations as well.

Once Nasheed was ousted, Maldives slowly slipped behind the curtains in the Climate Advocacy debate. National representation was lacklustre, and with the Yameen administration, attentions were diverted from sustainability to industrial development. Building bridges and developing resorts, and attempting to build, build, build, was what drove the country both into debt and unsustainability. During this time, the Paris Agreement was born, as the good fight was being waged by other low-lying, developing nations, the turning point at which human rights was cemented into the climate change debate. Yet, the Maldives was not seen leading this charge.

Thirty four years since Maumoon’s speech, we are yet to see the sustainable world he had envisioned and hoped for. As matters stand according to the reports, climate change has accelerated to a point where irreversible damage is commonplace, and still the people of the world have no choice but to be optimistic about the efforts made by nations to alleviate this. It is not only a point of pride to be part of such changes, yet as a nation that is deemed to be on the brink of survival due to climate change, it is also the administration’s duty to take on this responsibility. To this end, the Maldives has taken on some major projects aimed at sustainability.

Chemical management is an important aspect of improving environmental health. In 2012, the National SAICM Implementation Project, funded by the Quick Start Programme Trust Fund and assistance from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, UNITAR, was initiated. The training and capacity building project was completed in 2015 with a budget of MVR4.18 million, and ensured that worldwide chemical safety standards were incorporated in the Maldives. . 

In 2013, the government implemented project ASPIRE (Accelerating Sustainable Private Investments in Renewable Energy) which incentivised the use of renewable energy, and outlined some bold ideas. Facilitating private investment in renewable energy (RE), restructuring the energy plan of the Greater Malé Region and maximising the use of RE sources all could have paved the way for a carbon-neutral nation in record time. Yet, according to information on the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology website, USD69 million into a 5-year plan, the project is reportedly still incomplete. 

However, 2020 and 2021 heralded a new phase in climate advocacy. While the RE project still lies in the rafters, other projects have been initiated. Under the Solih Administration's Strategic Action Plan revealed in 2019, a study had been undertaken to consider a changeover to a more fuel efficient, and also cleaner fossil fuel (10 ppm Sulfure Fuel and Euro VI Emission Standard), which promises to reduce the carbon footprint, improve air quality and also generate monetary benefits. A Feasibility Study undertaken by the Ministry of Environment on building more climate resilient and safer islands, provides mitigation strategies for islands against erosion and adverse weather effects.

A further project topping off a budget of USD167 million, financed by multiple donors, aims to revamp the trash disposal facilities at Thilafushi. This would bring cleaner, safer disposal of waste in the Greater Malé Region, projects to spread awareness of proper waste disposal, as well as mitigating the challenges faced by the poor and women in this regard.

The crowning jewel in all these endeavours is the plastic ban announced by the government. As of June 1, 2021, the government of the Maldives has enacted a ban on the import of many single-use plastic items including all plastic straws, single-use plates, cutlery and stirrers, Styrofoam food boxes, betel nuts in plastic wrapping, 500ml or less PET beverage bottles, 250ml or less coffee cups, small plastic toiletry bottles, cotton buds with plastic stems and some plastic bag sizes. The plan is metaphorically sound on paper, with proper timeframes and clear cut guidelines, and promises to be revolutionary for a low-lying island nation, once in practice. A 3-year project, the goals are bold and absolutely necessary, and it is yet too early to judge the effectiveness, nor the proper enforcement, of this ban.

However, the international conversation still needs Maldivian input, which now Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, as a thematic ambassador at the Climate Vulnerability Forum, is seen to impart. Locally the Maldives has taken two monumental steps; creating a ministry that deals with environment as well as climate change, and also appointed its first ever Climate Envoy.

While it is reassuring to see Nasheed return to this debate, a group of 48 developing nations standing together with one voice is not enough to exact the change that needs to be seen in the world. It is a foregone fact that most of the pollution can be traced back to the developed world and the industrial powerhouses of India and China, and unless there is sufficient pressure on them to adjust and find cleaner alternatives, internal efforts are going to be in vain.

Aggravated climate change can potentially wipe out entire nations and dislocate civilisations. Now, more than ever, the Maldives needs to return to the forefront of this struggle, both in voice and action. The nation could, and needs to, do better in embracing sustainability in development and energy production.