BONN, Germany, November 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
Small islands introducing some of the most ambitious clean
energy plans in the world
The Environment Minister of the Maldives is calling on developed countries to
honour their commitments to correcting the effects of climate
change. Speaking at the conclusion of the twenty-third session of
the Conference of the Parties (COP 23) in Bonn, the minister
said that an unprecedented year of weather - including Hurricanes
Harvey, Irma, Jose and Maria; wildfires in the US and Europe; mass flooding in South Asia, and West
Africa; and an unyielding drought in East Africa - has given the issue a renewed
urgency.
"Rich nations - those who have benefitted from vast historical
Green House Gas emissions - are indebted to humanity's future. And
they must honour that obligation," said Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister
for Environment and Energy in the Maldives. "If they do not, nations like mine
will suffer through no fault of our own."
Climate change has ravaged Small Island Developing States,
according to Minister Ibrahim. As COP23 concluded in Bonn, he called for the urgent
implementation of plans and more funds to correct the ravages of
climate change.
"As the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS),
and in my capacity as the Minister of Environment of the
Maldives, I call on our developed
international partners to own their responsibility."
The landmark 2015 Paris Agreement acknowledged that Green House
Gas (GHG) reductions should be tied to historical emissions.
"Now, in Bonn, we must figure out how exactly each nation
implements its Nationally Determined Contributions, as well
mechanisms to monitor the level of reductions. The framework and
solutions are known," said Minister Ibrahim. "We just need
action."
The Maldivian Minister said that talking is not enough.
"The latest UNEP Gap report states it is not too late to avoid
the worst impacts of climate change. Yet it makes for uncomfortable
reading. It identifies an urgent need for accelerated short-term
action and enhanced longer-term national ambition.
"Quibbling over important issues such as financing should be
avoided. We are talking about lives, not bottom lines," said
Minister Ibrahim. "Climate change is a problem that belongs to all
of us, not just political officials."
Minister Ibrahim said that developed countries must reduce their
outputs.
"Collectively, industrialised countries account for close to
three-quarters of global emissions. Yet on average, they are set to
miss their targets on current trajectories. If they do not start to
act in line with their commitments, it will seriously hamper global
efforts to save our planet. The rest of the world simply cannot
afford such procrastination," the Maldivian Minister warned.
"We need more ambition. The world's current pledges for GHG cuts
is just a third of that needed to keep world temperatures below a 2
°C above pre-industrial levels. If we stay at current levels, the
opportunity to keep temperatures below the optimal 1.5 °C - as
stated in the Paris Agreement - will also rapidly close," he
said.
"When spelt out like this, it sounds a lot. But we are talking
about nothing less than the future of the planet. With every day
that passes, these issues take on a deeper urgency. This leaves
little room for compromise. But with political resolve, I am
confident we will make progress on all these areas at COP23. And when we do, then we will have a joyous
occasion for celebration."
Small islands contribute a minuscule fraction of global
emissions and yet have taken the lead in committing to some of the
most ambitious clean energy plans in the world. Last month, The
Government of the Maldives, in its
capacity as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)
and in partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency
(IRENA), hosted the inaugural high-level meeting of the Initiative
for Renewable Island Energy (IRIE) on October 10-11. The meeting was attended by 17
energy and environment ministers from the AOSIS membership around
the world.
"Small island developing nations have been frontrunners in the
global drive to scale-up renewables," said Adnan Z Amin,
Director-General of IRENA. "We are committed to supporting the
renewable energy ambitions of our island partners, through the SIDS
Lighthouses initiative, as they take their energy transformation to
the next level."
For more information contact:
Amjad Abdulla
Director General
Ministry of Environment & Energy
Tel: +(960) 3004131
Email: amjad.abdulla@environment.gov.mv;
abdulla.amjad@gmail.com