Maldives to Strengthen Climate Change Mitigation Efforts in Tourism Sector
The Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim, has reiterated the Maldives’ commitment to protecting its tourism industry from the impacts of climate change.
The minister spoke at a high-level meeting on tourism and climate change held alongside the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29). Highlighting the nation’s vulnerability to rising sea levels and other climate-related challenges, Minister Thoriq underscored ongoing efforts to promote sustainable tourism. He noted the adverse effects of climate change on the Maldives’ tourism sector and detailed initiatives to revitalise carbon sequestration environments, such as shellfish habitats, which play a crucial role in ecological balance.
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The minister also acknowledged community-level contributions, emphasising the work being done in islands to enhance climate resilience within the tourism industry. This marked the first ministerial meeting focused on the intersection of tourism and climate change.
As part of COP29, the Maldives submitted its inaugural Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The report, mandated under the agreement, provides the overview of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, mitigation strategies, and adaptation efforts. It also outlines progress towards achieving Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and highlights the support needed and received for climate-related initiatives.
The Maldives is the third small island nation to submit such a report, marking a significant milestone in its climate action journey. The submission reflects the country’s proactive approach to addressing global warming and enhancing transparency in its efforts.
In recognition of this achievement, the Maldives received the BTR Champion certificate, a distinction that underscores the importance of international collaboration and the dissemination of climate-related information.
