The Maldives is an archipelago of far spread, low-lying islands and atolls located in the Indian Ocean. Climate change is severely threatening the very existence of the Maldives as well as diminishing existing human capabilities on these islands. With future sea levels projected to increase in the range of 10 to 100 centimeters by the year 2100, the entire country could be submerged, seriously impacting the culture and livelihood of all the citizens of the Maldives, according to World Bank.
The government of Maldives works to minimise the effect of developmental projects on climate. In this regard, the government established the Environment Protection Agency (EPA). While the government exerts major efforts on development projects on all areas, minimising the risk of climate change on Maldives is complicated. Ministry of Environment and Energy tremendously works to minimise the impacts of climate while conducting infrastructural projects.
The EPA Governing Board is a statutory body, established under the Environment Protection Act, with expertise in environmental protection, industry, environmental science, regional issues, environmental law and local government. One major accomplishment by EPA is accumulating the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) reports prior to projects being conducted.
The agency compiles the EIA report prior to all infrastructural projects and related preventive measures are always undertaken, revealed the Director General of EPA, Ibrahim Naeem adding that land reclamation, airport development, projects related to water and sewerage facilities are conducted by the government after a thorough assessment and in areas and means which climate impacts are minimised.