MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Second National Communication of Maldives to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change October 2016 MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Second National Communication of Maldives to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change October 2016 SNC Team Coordinating Lead Authors: Survey and Data Collection Dr. Mizna Mohamed Team: Ali Shareef Abdul Rasheed Zammath Khaleel Ahmed Murthaza Mareer Mohamed Husny Ahmed Shan Aishath Aileen Niyaz Hassan Azhar Amjad Abdulla Luayyu Adam Mahid Abdul Rahman Review Editors: Mariyam Umana Mohamed Shujuan Ahmed Waheed Shama Rasheed Hamdhoon Mohamed Shurufa Naseer Aishath Hassan Ahmed Falah Ali Mishal Peer Reviewer: Hussain Shufran Aminath Inaya Ahmed Jameel Water Solutions Pvt Ltd (DEM) Contributing Authors: Hussein Zahir Mohamed Asif Ahmed Rasheed Dr. Zahid Mohamed Musthafa Aishath Thimna Latheef Ibrahim Mohamed Please cite this report as: MEE, (2016). Second National Communication of Maldives to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: Ministry of Environment and Energy Ministry of Environment and Energy, 2016 Published by Ministry of Environment and Energy Concept Design and Layout by Green Building, Handhuvaree Hingun, Maafannu Male’, 20392 Republic of Maldives www.environment.gov.mv Ma.Raahaa, Koarukendi Magu ISBN: 978-99915-59-30-8 Male, Maldives iii Aknowledgements The Second National Communications of the Maldives to the United Nations Framework is prepared by the Climate Change Department of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE). The underlying data collections, analysis and assessments were carried with the generous assistance from the respective stakeholders. Ministry wishes to acknowledge the invaluable contribution from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in provision of the finance and technical guidance in preparation of this report. The authors would like to thank His Excellency Mr. Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Environment and Energy, His Excellency Mr. Abdullahi Majeed, Minister of State for Environment and Energy and Mr. Ajwad Musthafa, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Energy for their continuous support and guidance during the process. The authors are also grateful to the respective government Ministries and agencies and other stakeholders across several sectors for their involvement during the course of the preparation of the report. The authors also thanks and recognizes the generous contribution by the Water Solutions Pvt Ltd for their work in undertaking the field data collection and for the SNC team for their dedication and hardwork. iv Second National Communication of Maldives to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Foreword It is an undeniable fact that Maldives is one of the lowest lying island nations in the world. Climate change poses serious challenges to our development on multiple fronts. Our geography, developmental challenges and the narrow economy is aggravating the issue further. In recent times, we have been hearing that each successive year keeps breaking previous records for high temperatures. The recent scientific assessments gave bleak prospects on climate change reconfirming that SIDS are among the most vulnerable and least defensible to the projected impacts of climate change and associated sea level rise. Climate change not only poses a development challenge, but an existential threat for Maldives and many other small island states. This inevitable and urgent global challenge need to be addressed urgently and swiftly. The hope for international cooperation in addressing climate change was renewed with historic Paris Agreement in December 2015, Maldivians are determined that with the support of the international community, we can still tackle climate change. Even though we are a miniscule contributor to its causes, we strive to lead by example in both mitigation and adaptation. Since our initial National Communication in 2001, we have made significant progress in both aspects. We are investing immense effort and resources in adaptation measures and actions ranging from enhancing water security and coastal protection, to building resilient infrastructure and communities among others. We have made strides in transforming our energy sector towards renewables. We are making the necessary policy changes to flourish an enabling and a trusted environment to attract the public and the private sector investments in low emission and climate resilient developments. In this respect, I Thank the President for his continuous support and his encouragement for the protection of our environment. As climate change does not respect borders, the issue cannot be tackled without serious action at the global level. As such, for the past three decades, Maldives has been a strong advocate for international climate action. The leadership we have demonstrated in establishing the Alliance of Small Island States and as the current Chair truly demonstrated our commitment and dedication for climate action. Maldives will continue our efforts at both local and global levels. Addressing climate change will be necessary for our sustainable development and the wellbeing of the generations to come. Thoriq Ibrahim Minister of Environment and Energy v Acronyms ADB Asian Development Bank MMS Maldives Meteorological Services ADRC Asian Disaster Reduction Center MoFA Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture AFOLU Agriculture, Forestry and Land Use MoFT Ministry of Finance and Treasury ARI Acute Respiratory Infection MoH Ministry of Health BAU Business As Usual MoHG Ministry of Health and Gender CO2e Carbon dioxide equivalent MoT Ministry of Tourism DHF Dengue Haemorrhagic fever MoTAC Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture DHI Danish Hydraulic Institute MPND Ministry of Planning and National DNP Department of National Planning Development DSS Dengue Sudden Shock Syndrome MRC Marine Research Center ENSO El-Nino Southern Oscillations MWSA Maldives Water and Sanitation Authority ERC Environment Research Center NAI Non Annex I FAD Fish Aggregating Devices NAPA National Adaptation Program of Action FAO Food and Agricultural Organization NBS National Bureau of Statistics GCF Green Climate Fund NCSA National Capacity Self-Assessment GDP Gross Domestic Product NCD Non Communicable Diseases GEF Global Environment Facility NDMC National Disaster Management Center GCM Global Climate Model NEAP National Environmental Action Plan Gg Giga Grams NGIS National Geographic Information System GHG Greenhouse Gas NSDS National Sustainable Development GNI Gross National Index Strategy GWP Global Warming Potential OTEC Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion HDI Human Development Index PPP Power Purchasing Parity HPA Health protection Agency SAARC South Asian Association for Regional ICAO International Civil Aviation Cooperation Organization SGP Small Grants Programme IOD Indian Ocean Dipole SIDAS SEARO Integrated Data Analysis System IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate SIDS Small Island Developing States Change SLCP Shot Lived Climate Pollutants JCM Joint Crediting Mechanism SRES Special Report on Emissions Scenarios kWh Kilo Watt Hour RIMES Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early LCOE Levelized Cost of Electricity Warning System LDCF Least Developed Countries Fund TNA Technology Needs Assessment MASPLAN Fisheries Master plan Toe Tons of Oil Equivalent MEE Ministry of Environment and Energy UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention MEEW Ministry of Environment Energy and on Climate Change Water WB World Bank MHAHE Ministry of Home Affairs Housing and WTE Waste to Energy Environment MHE Ministry of Housing and Environment MHTE Ministry of Housing Transport and Environment MJO Madden-Jullian Oscillation vi Second National Communication of Maldives to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Contents Aknowledgements ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- iv Foreword ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ v Acronyms ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- vi Executive Summary ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 National Circumstance ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 Current and Future Climate projections ����������������������������������������������������������������� 3 Natural Disasters and Extreme Events ������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 National GHG Inventory ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Mitigation of GHGs ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4 Vulnerability to Climate Change ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Land loss, Beach Erosion and Human Settlements ------------------------------------------------- 4 Critical Infrastructure ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 Water Resources -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 Coral Reefs -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 Agriculture and Food Security ���������������������������������������������������������������������� 5 Human Health ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������