2. Impact of Climate Change in the Maldives Scotland and Climate Change - Getting it Right In the Chamber of the Scottish Parliament Friday, 27 March 2009

3. The Maldives Population: 385,000 (2008 est.) 1,190 islands – 197 inhabited Area: 298 sq. km ( > 99% sea) Tourism & Fishery main industries GDP per capita - approx. US$ 3000

4. Capital Male’ Area: 2 sq. km Population: 120,000 Majority of islands have less than 2,000 Industrial and financial hub Protected by seawall Capital Male’

5. Critical Issues Average elevation 1.5 m above sea level Flooding reported in many islands Coastal / beach erosion Fresh water shortages Maldives contributes less than 0.001% to GHG emissions IPCC projects sea level rise of up to 0.88m by 2100 Maldives could be wiped out as a result

6. Coral bleaching as a result of rising temperatures

7. Flooding reported commonly

8. Severe beach erosion observed in islands

9. Driving forward international agreements on climate change Mitigation Actions in the Maldives (e.g. carbon neutral) Adaptation Actions in the Maldives (e.g. coastal protection). Capacity developme nt Technolog y transfer Funding Maldives ‘Climate Change’ Strategy

10. The President announced that the Maldives would be Carbon Neutral within 10 years On going focus on driving forward international commitments National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) Introducing renewable energy to the Maldives Cooperate with international research organisations (make the Maldives a hub for research in related areas)

11. Summary Climate Change is a real threat to the very existence of the Maldives The Maldives needs international support and calls for global actions to combat Climate Change International agreements and co- ordinated actions essential in the build up to the Copenhagen Summit in December 2009 The Maldives aims to lead by example (carbon neutral within the next 10 years)

12. Together we can save the world. Thank You! Presented by Mr. Ahmed Moosa Envoy for Science and Technology Government of the Maldives