Maldives National Adaptation to Climate Change / the Human Dimension of Global Climate Change Mr Amjad Abdulla Maldives Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water European Parliament Temporary Committee on Climate Change 26 th March 2008 Brussels
Presentation Overview Climate hazards to Maldives Vulnerabilities and impacts Adaptation policies and measures Urgent and immediate adaptation priorities and needs Male 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 impacts Food security Damage to coral reefs Water resources Human health
Time for Reflection Impacts 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 Beach Land is just 1% of the area 300 km2 6th smallest sovereign state Beach estimated 11-13 km2 stretching 1900-2300 km of coastline 60% of the islands face permanent land loss & beach erosion
Critical infrastructure Infrastructure 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 28 C - 29 C Precipitation Salinity changes Carbon dioxide Storm frequency and strength Sea level changes
Impacts of Coral Reefs Impacts the largest economic sector tourism; and the largest livelihood fisheries Tourism - based healthy coral reefs Main fishery dependant on bait catch from coral reefs Reduces 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 extends Risk of saltwater intrusion into freshwater lens Salinization of groundwater would affect quality of life in islands Saltwater 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 coordinated, 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 Policy Foster 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 infrastructure Foster development and application of legal and institutional system, mechanisms for planning and responding to climate change Foster 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 Strategy Safer Islands Development Coral 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 Needs Protect the critical infrastructure Protect human settlements Increase the resilience of the coral reef system Protect tourist resort beaches and tourism infrastructure Strengthen capacity for health services Acquire technologies and appropriate tools to manage water resources Build resilience of fisheries Strengthen agricultural production and increase food security
Urgent Adaptation Projects Protection of Critical Infrastructures in Airports Coastal protection of Male International Airport Protect 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 Projects Protect Human Settlement: Safer Islands Development Capacity Strengthening for Coastal Zone Management Protect Tourist Resort Beaches and Tourism Infrastructure Increase the Resilience of the Coral Reef System Increase the Resilience of the Coral Reef System ( Waste Management) Strengthen capacity for Health Services
Urgent Adaptation Projects Acquire 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 practices Achieving MDG7 before 2015. Acquisition of technical & financial resources. Advocate at local, national, regional and international level eg the European Commission s Global Climate Change Alliance Commitment from all!
Male Declaration on the Human Dimension of Global Climate Change 14 th November 2007
Male Declaration on the Human Dimension of Global Climate Change Presented at international gathering of Small Island Developing States 13-14 November 2007, Maldives The Declaration asserts that the impacts of climate change pose the most immediate, fundamental and farreaching 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