President Solih ratifies Climate Emergency Act

The Climate Emergency Act, Act No. 10/2021, has been ratified.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ratified the act, passed by the People’s Majlis on April 29, at its 37th sitting of the first session for the ongoing year, on Tuesday.

Following ratification, the act has been publicized in the government gazette and takes immediate effect.

In addition to including the complete framework for Maldives’ ambitious plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, the newly ratified Climate Emergency Act specifies actions to address climate emergency which results in the quick acceleration of the severity of consequences from climate change. This includes reporting, ensuring the sustainability of natural resources, overcoming negative impacts and allocation of funds for renewable energy sources.

The framework on the plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions under which the relevant cabinet minister is mandated to submit the subsequent year’s national carbon budget to the People’s Majlis for approval, three months before the year concludes.

Further it enlightens that the minister to establish an office under the Ministry named 'Climate Change Directorate', tasked with leading Maldives' interests in the international arena with regards to the climate emergency.

The newly ratified act also mandates the appointment of a Special Envoy for Climate Change to serve as Maldives' international advocate against climate change, within 30 days of the act coming into effect. The appointment will be made by the president.

The appointee will be tasked with representing the Maldives globally in creating diplomatic ties, strengthening multilateral relationships that mirror climate goals and acquisition of foreign aid for projects related to climate change, environmental sustainability and renewable energy.