President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih Tuesday ratified the Climate Emergency Act. The Bill was passed by the Parliament at the 37th sitting of its first session, on Thursday, 29th April 2021.
The Climate Emergency Act stipulates actions to address the climate emergency resulting from the swift acceleration of the severity of the repercussions from climate change. It introduces the legal structure and guidelines for addressing issues and concerns related to climate change, including reporting, ensuring the sustainability of natural resources, overcoming negative impacts and allocation of funds for renewable energy sources.
The Act further includes the complete framework for Maldives' ambitious plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. Under this plan, the Minister is mandated to submit the subsequent year's national carbon budget to the Parliament for approval 3 months before the end of each year. It also specifies the Minister to constitute an office under the Ministry as 'Climate Change Directorate', mandated with leading Maldives' interests in the international arena with regards to the climate emergency.
The Climate Emergency Act also charges the President to appoint a Special Envoy for Climate Change, to serve as Maldives' international advocate against climate change, within 30 days of the Act coming into force. The Special Envoy for Climate Change would represent the Maldives globally in creating diplomatic ties, strengthening multilateral relationships in alignment with climate goals and acquisition of foreign aid for projects related to climate change, environmental sustainability and renewable energy.
Upon ratification, the Act has now been published in the Government Gazette and takes immediate effect.
