UNDP and the Maldivian government commissioned CAD to develop a strategic plan for the creation of a Centre for Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change in the Maldives.
Many developing countries including the Small Island Developing States are already facing the extreme impacts of climate change. They pose a significant risk to the communities that face the prospect of losing their income sources, suffer adverse health impacts, and are forced to abandon their traditional lands, homes, and possibly their nations. The combined impact of tropical cyclones and sea-level rise presents grave concern and questions the future of some low-lying countries, such as the Maldives. While governments, development partners and other stakeholders are addressing the adverse impacts of climate change and vulnerabilities in the lives and livelihoods of the disadvantaged population in local, national and regional development priorities, the success has been varied. There seems to be a lack of policy responses and good practices that integrate adaptation solutions and low carbon interventions with national development priorities. Accordingly, there are few replicable and/or scalable examples available to enable those countries that respond rapidly to climate change adaptation challenges. At the same time, the Republic of Maldives has stated its goal to become a carbon neutral country by 2020.
In this context, and as a follow up to hosting the Climate Vulnerability Forum (CVF) in November 2009, the Government of the Maldives has commissioned CAD – with the support of the local UNDP office – to carry out a feasibility assessment of establishing a Climate Change Centre for Adaptation & Low Carbon Development in the Maldives.
