Failing to keep 1.5 degrees Celsius target could be catastrophic to Maldives: Ken O'Flaherty
"We are pressing hard for strong results at COP26 and all nations to show real ambition"
COP26 UK Regional Ambassador to South Asia and Asia-Pacific, Ken O'Flaherty
While countries agreed to keep global temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius in the Paris Agreement at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) held in 2015, UK government's COP26 Regional Ambassador to South Asia and Asia-Pacific Ken O'Flaherty has said that failing to do so could be catastrophic to Maldives and the whole region.
O'Flaherty sat down for an exclusive interview with RaajjeTV during last week's visit to the Maldives where he met a number of government officials including Environment Minister Aminath Shauna and Maldives’ Special Envoy for Climate Change Sabra Noordeen.
The ambassador stated that Maldives still has hope, as a small island state that faces a real existential threat from climate change. However, he noted that that hope will disappear soon if there is not urgent action.
He noted that action is not just for Maldives to take, rather for the world and that COP26 is pressing hard for strong results, for all nations to show “real ambition” in driving down emissions.
He went on to note that there are things Maldives can do to maintain the hope, pointing out that there are known solutions for some of the problems Maldives is facing.
On his recent trip to Dhiffushi island in Kaafu atoll, the ambassador expressed concern in having observed real impacts of climate change such as soil and sand erosion as well as rising tides.
The UK Regional Ambassador for COP26 also noted that they recognize Maldives will need support for this and expressed commitment to do everything to help mobilize the support for Maldives.
The ambassador noted that the voice of young people can be a real vector for change, and stated that Maldives has already shown leadership through the setting of domestic targets mainly the Net Zero Emissions target by 2030.
