Project

Capacity Building for Improved Transparency of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Actions in the Maldives (CBIT Maldives)

20 Oct 2022

Introduction:

The Maldives is one of the most vulnerable countries for adverse impacts of global climate change. Maldives’ Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) highlights food security, critical infrastructure, public health, water security, coastal protection, and coral reef biodiversity as key vulnerabilities of the country. In addition to these vulnerabilities, Maldives, like other Small Island Developing States (SIDS), face specific developmental challenges. They include high transportation and logistical costs, exploitation of natural resources, poor management of waste and pollution, and a small population leading to unsustainable economies of scale for different development agendas. Furthermore, the economy of the country is highly dependent on the tourism and fisheries which are highly susceptible to external shocks.

Maldives as a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) prioritize establishment of a Measuring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system to meet the transparency requirement of the Paris Agreement. Maldives have periodically submitted relevant GHG information to the UNFCCC; for instance, three inventories were submitted so far as part of the First and Second National Communications and the First Biennial Update Report, specifying mitigation actions to be developed and implemented in the coming years.

The Maldives is committed to meet the requirements of the ETF, despite the flexibility provided for SIDS. There is need, therefore, for the Maldives to

(i) establish a permanent institutional arrangement for GHG inventory compilation and tracking of NDC commitments,

(ii) develop a centralized climate data management system for GHG data, tracking of mitigation actions, adaptation actions and support received and needed and (iii) develop tools and train experts to meet the enhanced transparency framework under the Paris Agreement.

The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with UN Environment acting as the GEF Implementing Agency and Ministry as the Executing Agency.

Project Objective:

To strengthen institutional capacity for tracking mitigation and adaptation actions and establish climate finance tracking system in the Maldives.

Project outcome:

  1. The Maldives is able to regularly compile consistent and accurate sectorial GHG inventories to regularly report to UNFCCC
  2. Maldives tracks and report transparently its mitigation and adaptation actions, as well as support for implementation, to UNFCCC and inform its climate policy/action development

Partners involved:

  • Climate Change Department of the Ministry
  • Energy Department of the Ministry
  • Pollution prevention and waste management department of the Ministry
  • Water and Sanitation Department of the Ministry
  • Coastal Protection and Disaster Risk Section, Environment Department of the Ministry
  • Ministry of National Planning, Housing & Infrastructure
  • Ministry of Finance and Treasury
  • Ministry of Tourism
  • Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation
  • Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture
  • Health Protection Agency (HPA)
  • Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS)
  • Utility Regulatory Authority (URA)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)
  • Maldives National University (MNU)
  • Civil Society Organization
  • Private sector

 

Reports:

 

Stock-take and design option report on the institutional arrangements for GHG inventory

Project Timeline

06 Mar 2024

Second Project Steering Committee Meeting

The second Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting of the Capacity Building for Improved Transparency of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Actions in the Maldives (CBIT Maldives) project was held on 7th March 2024.
Representatives from the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Ministry of Finance, Utility Regulatory Authority (URA) and UN Environment Programme participated in the meeting.
The PSC endorsed the proposed work plan for the 2024/2025 year period as well as the budget revisions and amendments required for the implementation of project activities.

19 Feb 2024

CBIT Maldives project participated in the inception workshop held to initiate the development of the First Biennial Transparency Report (BTR)

CBIT PMU and Institutional Arrangements Expert participated in the inception workshop held to initiate the development of the First Biennial Transparency Report. Discussion were carried out in two working groups, the mitigation working group and the adaptation working group. Discussions in the Mitigation Group were led by CBIT Project Technical Coordinator, Mr. Mohamed Inaz and Institutional Arrangements Expert whereas the Adaptation Group was led by Assistant Director, Climate Change Department, Mr. Thibyan Ibrahim. In the Mitigation working discussion was carried out on aligning the CBIT Maldives project deliverables with the objectives of the BTR.
The BTR serves as a comprehensive tool for the Maldives and other nations to report on their climate actions and progress towards meeting their Paris Agreement commitments.
This workshop brought together a wide range of key stakeholders crucial to the BTR as well as the CBIT Project, such as the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

14 Feb 2024

CBIT Maldives project participated in the inception workshop for Advancing the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) project

The CBIT PMU and Institutional Arrangements expert participated in the inception workshop for Advancing the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) project.
The NAP project will support multi-sectoral, medium- to long-term adaptation planning and budgeting in Maldives and promote the integration of climate change adaptation aspects into development policies. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the Delivery Partner for the project with the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy (MCCEE) acting as the key implementing agency.
The CBIT project consists of supporting components to the NAP project - namely through strengthening institutional arrangements for continuous national reporting and tracking adaptation actions.

17 Dec 2023

URA commences the development of Energy Supply and Demand Study

The Utility Regulatory Authority (URA) has commenced the development of the Energy Supply and Demand Study with an inception meeting on 18th December 2023, involving the consultant Sri Lanka Energy Managers Association in partnership with Epoch Associates Pvt. Ltd and the CBIT Maldives project. Following the inception meeting, separate meetings were held with key stakeholders, including the Energy Department of the Ministry, STELCO, FENAKA, and the Maldives Customs Service and Fuel Supply Maldives.

This initiative, part of the CBIT Maldives project, will support the development of the Energy Supply and Demand Study for the Maldives for the years 2018–2022 and will build the capacity of relevant stakeholders in energy statistics and energy balance. Additionally, it will aid in establishing a mechanism for the continuous publishing of the Energy Supply and Demand report and develop a method for URA to verify power production data.

28 Nov 2023

Contract signed to conduct an Energy Supply and Demand Study

Contract signed with Sri Lanka Energy Managers Association, in association with Epoch Associates Pvt. Ltd, to conduct an Energy Supply and Demand Study. The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ajwad Musthafa, representing the Ministry, and the President, Mr. Kamal Illeperuma, signed on behalf of Sri Lanka Energy Managers Association.

The objective of this consultancy is to develop the energy balance for the past five years and establish a mechanism for the continuous publishing of the energy balance.

The key focus areas of the consultancy include:

Conduct an Energy Supply and Demand Study for the Maldives for the years 2018–2022, and build the capacity of relevant stakeholders in energy statistics and energy balance.
Review and improve the mechanism for the continuous publishing of Energy Supply and Demand report.
Development of mechanism by which Utility Regulatory Authority (URA) can verify power production data.

01 Nov 2023

Contract signed with Javaabu Pvt Ltd to Enhancing Knowledge Management Capabilities and Functionality of the Ministry’s Website.

Contract was signed with Javaabu Pvt Ltd to undertake the “Consultancy Service for Enhancing Knowledge Management Capabilities and Functionality of the Ministry’s Website – Phase 1” The contract signing ceremony took place at the Ministry, with the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ajwad Musthafa, representing the Ministry, and the Managing Director, Mr. Mohamed Jailam, signing on behalf of Javaabu Pvt Ltd.

The objective of this consultancy is to enhance the knowledge management capabilities of the Ministry’s website. To achieve this, the functionality, compatibility, security of the website requires to be updated. This update aims to ensure the website aligns with the latest version of WordPress, addresses any existing plugin compatibility issues, and improves overall user experience and enhance sharing of knowledge products being developed at the Ministry and facilitating access and dissemination amongst additional staff, private sector stakeholders, NGOs, and the general public.

29 Oct 2023

CBIT Maldives project PMU participated in a session on the Climate Finance Landscape and Readiness in the Maldives

The CBIT Maldives project PMU participated in a session on the Climate Finance Landscape and Readiness in the Maldives, organized by the Ministry in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat. The aim of the session was to cover the fundamentals of climate finance, including the current status of global financing, as well as the situation in the Maldives. The session was conducted by Commonwealth climate finance consultant, Mr. Sagar Joshi.

10 Oct 2023

Task Manager Visit to Maldives

CBIT Maldives Project PMU met with the Task Manager Dr. Sudhir Sharma of UN Environment during his visit to the Maldives from 10th to 12th October 2023. The discussions focused on the current progress of the project, with a particular emphasis on the ongoing procurement processes for upcoming activities.

10 Dec 2023

Asia Regional Network Workshop on Tracking Progress of the Mitigation Commitments of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

The CBIT team participated in the "Asia Regional Network Workshop on Tracking Progress of the Mitigation Commitments of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)" from 11th to 13th September 2023 in Seoul, Republic of Korea. This workshop, organized by the Capacity-building Initiative for Transparency – Global Support Programme (CBIT-GSP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Partnership on Transparency in the Paris Agreement (PATPA), and the Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Research Center of Korea (GIR), was focused on supporting country experts responsible for reporting NDC mitigation commitments under the Paris Agreement. It aimed to enhance their technical understanding of the goals, principles, and actions related to the reporting process for these commitments.

27 Aug 2023

Inception Workshop Conducted to Strengthen Climate Change Reporting Under CBIT Maldives Project

Inception workshop has been conducted under the consultancy to Review and Strengthen Institutional Arrangements for Climate Change Reporting. The workshop was attended by stakeholders from various public organizations, including ministries and state-owned companies.

The workshop commenced with welcome remarks from the Director of the Climate Change Department, Mr. Ahmed Waheed, setting the stage for a comprehensive discussion on the subject. Mr. Hamdhoon Mohamed, Institutional Arrangement Expert, presented an overview of the background information on National Climate Change Reporting and key tasks for the consultancy. Mr. Mohamed Aseel Hassan, National Legal Expert, discussed MOUs and Regulation. A group discussion was also held, allowing participants from various sectors to deliberate on the multifaceted aspects of climate change reporting.

26 Aug 2023

Contract signed with Development Advisory Services Pvt Ltd to establish a national GHG database system by developing guidelines, protocols, and toolkits.

Contract was signed with Development Advisory Services Pvt Ltd to support the establishment of a national GHG database management system by developing guidelines, protocols, and toolkits. The Permanent Secretary Mr. Ajwad Musthafa signed the contract on behalf of the Ministry and Managing Director, Mr. Zammath Khaleel, signed the contract on behalf of Development Advisory Services Pvt Ltd.

The scope of the assignment includes;
1. Develop guidelines and protocols for data collection and reporting to ensure consistency and quality
2. Develop sector-specific GHG emission spreadsheets, toolkits, and guidelines for relevant key categories.
3. Develop a QA/QC plan for GHG Inventory preparation

08 Jul 2023

Contract signed with Up Close Solutions Pvt Ltd to review and strengthen institutional arrangements for continuous national reporting

Contract was signed with Up Close Solutions Pvt Ltd to review and strengthen institutional arrangements for continuous national reporting on 09th July 2023. The Permanent Secretary Mr. Ajwad Musthafa signed the contract on behalf of the Ministry and Managing Director, Mr. Mohamed Haikal Ibrahim, signed the contract on behalf of Up Close Solutions Pvt Ltd.
The scope of the assignment includes;
1. Designing and formalizing institutional arrangements for cross-ministry cooperation to systemize data collection and processing, particularly for the preparation of greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories to comply with the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF).
2. Establishing and formalizing an institutional mechanism and legal framework for inter-ministerial cooperation in systemizing data collection and processing related to climate change mitigation, with the Ministry of Environment leading the efforts.
3. Conducting a comprehensive stock-taking exercise on adaptation monitoring to track adaptation actions for local-level adaptation planning.

06 Mar 2023

First Project Steering Committee Meeting

The first Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting of the Capacity Building for Improved Transparency of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Actions in the Maldives (CBIT Maldives) project was held on 7th March 2023.
Representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Utility Regulatory Authority (URA), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and UN Environment Programme participated in the meeting.
The PSC endorsed the proposed 2023 work plan, budget and amendments which were proposed by stakeholders at the project inception workshop.

05 Mar 2023

Inception Workshop of CBIT Maldives Project

The inception workshop was held on 6th March 2023 with stakeholders from various public and private organizations.
At the opening ceremony of the inception workshop, the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Ms. Aminath Shauna, emphasized the importance of the project in building national institutional and human resource capacity to handle data and information related to climate change adaptation, mitigation and support while also enhancing the ability to report transparently to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).