Maldives National Adaptation to Climate Change / the Human Dimension of Global Climate

Change

Mr Amjad AbdullaMaldives Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water

European Parliament – Temporary Committee on Climate Change26th March 2008

Brussels

Presentation Overview

Climate hazards to MaldivesVulnerabilities and impactsAdaptation policies and measures Urgent and immediate adaptation priorities and needsMale’ Declaration on the Human Dimension of Global Climate Change

Why is Maldives so vulnerable to Climate Change & Sea-Level Rise?Extremely low elevation-1.5m above MSL

• Potential land loss and beach erosion• Small size & unconsolidated• Human induced vulnerability

Infrastructure damage and economic impactsFood securityDamage to coral reefsWater resourcesHuman health

Time for ReflectionImpacts of climate change is a growing reality

“Not to Scare but to Aware”Of the implications and to adapt

What are the implications of sea-level rise for our country?Can anything be done to reduce the risks of future damages?

Climate Hazards & Vulnerabilities

Sea level rise

A threat to the existence of

Maldives

Climate Hazard to Human Settlement-Sea Level Rise!

Land and BeachLand is just 1% of the area ≈ 300 km26th smallest sovereign state Beach estimated 11-13 km2 stretching 1900-2300 km of coastline60% of the islands face permanent land loss & beach erosion

Critical infrastructureInfrastructure of the two international airports are ≈ 50m from the shoreline 80% of the powerhouses are located ≈ 50m from the shoreline. 90% waste disposal sites < 100m More than 75% of communications infrastructures are located ≈ 75m from the shoreline

Climate Hazards to Coral Reef

Temperature 28C - 29C PrecipitationSalinity changesCarbon dioxideStorm frequency and strengthSea level changes

Impacts of Coral ReefsImpacts the largest economic sector – tourism; and the largest livelihood – fisheriesTourism - based healthy coral reefsMain fishery dependant on bait catch from coral reefsReduces the natural defense of the shoreline of the islands

Frequent Flooding

Human Health

Dengue case fatality remains at 0.4% Dengue endemic with seasonal outbreaks Scrub-typhus re-emerged in 2002 resulting mortality rates as high as 10%Although mortality rate has declined to 1% with appropriate case management, scrub typhus continue to be prevalent causing significant morbidity Chikungunya for the first time emerged in 2006

Freshwater

Stressed from over-extraction risk of total depletion if dry periods extendsRisk of saltwater intrusion into freshwater lens Salinization of groundwater would affect quality of life in islandsSaltwater intrusion would also affect soil and vegetation causing impacts on agriculture and terrestrial ecosystems

Adaptation Policy

Adaptation Policy

“To foster & guide a national process of addressing the short, medium and long term effects of climate change in a co-ordinated, holistic and participatory manner in order to the greatest extend

possible, the quality of life of Maldivian people, and opportunities for sustainable

development are not compromised “

Objectives of Adaptation PolicyFoster the development process, plans, strategies and approaches to: • Avoid or adapt to Climate change on natural

environment• Minimize the impacts on economic activities, human

health, human settlement and critical infrastructureFoster development and application of legal and institutional system, mechanisms for planning and responding to climate changeFoster development of economic incentives to encourage public & private sector adaptation measures

Ongoing Adaptation Measures

Male’ seawall• Cost 135 million dollars

Hulhumale’• Elevation of 2m above MSL• US$3,891,050 per sqkm of elevation 2m above MSL

Population and Development Consolidation StrategySafer Islands DevelopmentCoral mining is banned

NAPA Goal

To present a coherent framework for climate change adaptation that enhances sustainability of the natural, human, and social systems in the Maldives. Focus of adaptation is on maintaining the resilience of the three systems to preserve life support functions and resources needed for economic development in the face of predicted climate hazards.

Priority Adaptation NeedsProtect the critical infrastructureProtect human settlementsIncrease the resilience of the coral reef systemProtect tourist resort beaches and tourism infrastructureStrengthen capacity for health servicesAcquire technologies and appropriate tools to manage water resourcesBuild resilience of fisheriesStrengthen agricultural production and increase food security

Urgent Adaptation ProjectsProtection of Critical Infrastructures in Airports• Coastal protection of Male’ International

AirportProtect Human Settlements: Innovative Coastal Protection for the Development of Focus islands• Development of coastal protection for 03 safer islands

in NDR• Development of coastal protection for 03 safer islands

in SDR• Flood Control on Selected islands

Urgent Adaptation ProjectsProtect Human Settlement: Safer Islands DevelopmentCapacity Strengthening for Coastal Zone Management Protect Tourist Resort Beaches and Tourism InfrastructureIncrease the Resilience of the Coral Reef System Increase the Resilience of the Coral Reef System ( Waste Management)Strengthen capacity for Health Services

Urgent Adaptation ProjectsAcquire Technologies and Appropriate Tools to Manage Water Resources:• Institutional and Technological Capacity to

Manage Climate Change related Risks to Water

• Waste water treatment to maintain resilience of water resources and coral reef biodiversity

Build Resilience and Adaptive Capacity of Maldivian Fisheries Strengthening Agricultural Production and Food Security

The Way Forward!

Mainstreaming of adaptation into NDP and practicesAchieving MDG7 before 2015.Acquisition of technical & financial resources.Advocate at local, national, regional and international level – eg the European Commission’s Global Climate Change AllianceCommitment from all!

Male’ Declaration on the Human

Dimension of Global Climate Change

14th November 2007

Male’ Declaration on the Human Dimension of Global Climate ChangePresented at international gathering of Small Island Developing States 13-14 November 2007, MaldivesThe Declaration asserts that the “impacts of climate change pose the most immediate, fundamental and far-reaching threat to the environment, individuals and communities around the planet.”It further stresses that “climate change has clear and immediate implications for the full enjoyment of human rights.”Promotion of text ongoing in Brussels, Geneva, Washington, New York.

Thank You