Regional cooperation is imperative for recovery from the intersectional harm caused by the climate crisis and Covid-19, particularly following the outcome of the climate change negotiations in Glasgow. Although some progress was made during COP26, current commitments – if upheld – will only limit warming to 2.4 degrees Celsius, instead of 1.5 degrees, which imperrels the Maldives existence[1]. For small island nations, such as the Maldives, regional cooperation is vital for the nation to not only survive climate change impacts and the ongoing pandemic, but for its citizens to thrive.
The Maldives is on the climate crisis frontline as 80 percent of islands are less than 1 meter (3 feet) above sea level and consist of porous coral. There are myriad climate change impacts besieging the nation including: sea level rise, coastal erosion, water and soil salinization, extreme weather and flooding, coral bleaching, etc. Over 90 percent of islands are experiencing annual flooding, while erosion is impacting 97 percent of islands (with 64 percent of islands experiencing severe erosion)[2]. These impacts are putting communities at great risk as 50 percent of all housing structures are located 100 meters from the coastline[3].
While climate change impacts have been exacerbating existing socio-economic and environmental vulnerabilities, the Maldives has been striving toward sustainable development, in conjunction with climate adaptation and resilience measures. The Covid-19 pandemic has thwarted these efforts by ravaging the nation – in deaths, infections and overtaxing limited healthcare resources – and by eliminating the economic means to address both the pandemic and climate change. “Both the World Bank and Asian Development Bank assess Maldives as being one of the worst hit in the world from the pandemic[4].” Just as with climate change impacts, Covid-19 has exposed existing inequalities and critical needs, particularly for vulnerable groups and individuals. Although there has been some progress toward recovery, as tourism – which the Maldivian economy is highly dependent on – slowly picks up and Covid-19 vaccination rates increase, the situation is far from stabilized[5].
Climate change impacts will continue to affect the Maldives, as the country is projected to be underwater due to sea level rise in 50 years unless drastic action is taken immediately[6]. Even if warming is limited to 1.5 degrees, climate change impacts – such as sea level rise – will continue for hundreds to thousands of years[7]. Meanwhile, the effects of Covid-19 are ongoing worldwide, leaving the Maldives precariously vulnerable to related shocks. To that end, the Maldivian government is seeking to “build back better” to recover from these persistent crises by accelerating its sustainable development trajectory.
“With a focus on building back better, this is an opportunity to change the course of the country, invest in Maldives’s natural wealth and work towards a different future for the country. A more resilient Maldives, less vulnerable, less dependent, and building on its vast and diverse blue green economy with a core focus on sustainable and inclusive development marked by progress in achieving the SDGs [sustainable development goals][8].”
While national efforts to achieve Maldives’ SDGs, climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience, as well as manage the pandemic are laudable, additional support is vital. Addressing the interrelated impacts caused by climate change and the pandemic requires regional cooperation within South Asia. This is imperative to potentially coordinate knowledge and resource sharing, as well as strengthen the negotiating position of vulnerable groups and nations within South Asia[9]. Nations within the region are incredibly vulnerable to climate change impacts, which often have transnational effects[10], as does the pandemic. There are numerous regional international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as other civil society groups operating in South Asia – such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), and the Climate Action Network (CAN) – that aim to coordinate in the face of these threats, in which the Maldives participates. Continuing to strengthen the relationships and initiatives within the regional institutions and organizations of South Asia is essential, especially as wealthier nations continue to drive the climate crisis, fall woefully short on their commitments to provide climate finance for adaptation, and limit vaccine availability.
[1] https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/11/1105792
https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2021/11/15/what-did-cop26-achieve/
[2] https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2021/09/maldives-climate-change-aminath-shauna-trenches.htm
[3] https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2021/09/maldives-climate-change-aminath-shauna-trenches.htm
[4] https://maldives.un.org/en/102364-addressing-socio-economic-impact-covid-19-maldives
[5] https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2021/10/06/aldives-recovery-prospects-improve-amidst-uncertainties
[7] https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2021/08/IPCC_WGI-AR6-Press-Release_en.pdf
[8] https://maldives.un.org/en/102364-addressing-socio-economic-impact-covid-19-maldives
[9] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281175327_Climate_Change_Adaptation_in_the_
Framework_of_Regional_Cooperation_in_South_Asia
[10] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283436395_Climate_risks_in_the_SAARC_region_ways_to_
address_the_social_economic_environmental_challenges