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

 

 

Project Timeline

28 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.

27 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

09 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.

07 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.

06 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).