The Maldives’ recent announcement to invest in a fund that will enable us to seek land abroad as a back-up plan for the worst case climate change scenario, has drawn considerable attention to otherwise ignored tiny dots on the world map.

Now, it is a further step closer to international recognition and support in our fight for survival. President Nasheed’s announcement of the Maldives’ intention to go carbon free by the year 2020 has once again put the Maldives on the map.

If i understand this correct, unlike most other countries like the Vatikan, Norway, Costa Rica etc., Maldives isn’t planning to go carbon-neutral. Rather we are aiming to go carbon free. This is to say, we are not off-setting the use of any of our domestic carbon usage by investing in forestry and the like. Instead we hope for a rapid switch to renewable energy sources for all our domestic uses through an eco-friendly scheme which is to cost an estimated $110m a year for 10 years.

Many would feel that this is a close to impossible target for a struggling economy that’s barely able to make ends meet. Why? The reasons are many. Firstly, it is a time of major economic peril for the whole world. The Maldives is operating on a heavily deficient budget, with a dearth of major investments in provision of basic services and negative trends in social stability which requires considerable investments in building social institutions. We are dependent on foreign aid to an anxious level and we do not have a history of successful renewable energy projects in the past save for a handful.

Although this outlook may seem gloomy, we are hopeful. I respect President Nasheed’s inspirational and highly ambitious target and seriously wish that our development partners will support the Maldives on this one. It is one that will set an example for the rest of the world, one which will inspire the major players in this dirty game of climate change.

Of course we are aiming for the sky here. Although in aiming for the sky, if we reach the roof it will still be a bigger achievement than many of the giant carbon intensive economies have ever achieved so far! So bravo the Maldives, here’s your chance to shine.

Photo By : Caroline von Tuempling
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