Gov’t Hosts Inaugural CANCC Workshop on Climate Change Resilience

Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy has commenced a three-day peer-to-peer learning workshop for the Coalition of Low-Lying Atoll Nations on Climate Change (CANCC). 

This gathering marks Maldives’ inaugural hosting since assuming the Chairmanship of the CANCC in December last year.

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The workshop aims to delve into how atoll nations are fortifying their resilience to climate change through national adaptation plan (NAP) processes, with a specific focus on amplifying coastal adaptation strategies. Set to occur from 1st to 3rd May in Bandos Maldives, the event will include study visits to key locations such as the capital Male’, Hulhumale’, and Maafushi, generously supported by the NAP Global Network.

As the incumbent Chair of CANCC, Maldives leads a coalition comprising five low-lying atoll nations—the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Tokelau, Tuvalu, and Maldives—united in spotlighting their unique vulnerabilities due to their geographical predispositions.

Atoll nations confront severe vulnerabilities to climate change impacts, including sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and groundwater salinization. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) 2023 synthesis report starkly warned of the inevitability of sea-level rise, even with ambitious global greenhouse gas emissions targets under the Paris Agreement.

CANCC members are actively implementing various measures to mitigate vulnerabilities and enhance adaptation efforts. These measures include the development of national adaptation plans and the integration of climate change considerations into national planning processes.

All CANCC countries are at differing stages in advancing their national adaptation planning processes. Maldives and Tuvalu launched their respective NAP processes in 2023, while Kiribati and the Republic of the Marshall Islands have developed NAP documents submitted to the UNFCCC’s NAP Central. Tokelau has a 2017 national strategy for enhancing resilience to climate change, accompanied by an implementation plan.

Through the National Adaptation Planning process, members aim to prioritize adaptation actions, mobilize finance, address capacity constraints, and coordinate and monitor progress towards national adaptation goals.

Thirty-five representatives from CANCC members are participating in the three-day event. Alongside peer-to-peer learning sessions, Maldives is sharing its experiences and case studies on coastal protection measures being implemented in various parts of the country.