Humanity has experienced the hottest temperatures on record during the past decade. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that we are likely to exceed a 1.5°C average temperature increase, the point at which severe climate disruptions would occur, with significant impacts for humans and nature. In the Maldives, the challenge has never been so apparent. The country is among the most vulnerable on Earth to sea level rise, with more than 80 percent of its islands less than a meter above sea level. With mid-range sea level rise predicted to be between .5-1.2 meters, the Maldives is projected to lose some 77 percent of its land area by the year 2100. More than 90% of all resort infrastructure and 99% of all tourist accommodation are currently within 100m of coastline.
Attracting a record 1.7 million tourists in 2019, the tourism industry must take action to ensure communities in these destinations can adapt to a changing world. Despite having contributed little to the problem, the Maldives hosts a wealth of potential solutions. In recent years, the Government of the Maldives has made strides towards becoming a beacon of climate leadership for the rest of the world. The tourism industry in the Maldives has the opportunity to do the same—positioning itself as a visionary industry that is not only responsibly reducing its emissions, but actively helping communities to adapt to the inevitable consequences of climate change. Many initiatives across the country have already taken root—innovative waste management practices, seagrass restoration efforts, community-led mangrove conservation, and coral reef rehabilitation have all originated in and been catalyzed by the tourism sector.
Accounting for roughly 28% of GDP and 60% of foreign exchange, the tourism sector in the Maldives has an opportunity to model what approaches to innovative climate adaptation look like for the rest of the world. The Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan is designed to guide the tourism sector, with the Ministry of Tourism at the helm, through the sea of change climate change will bring over the next generation. This is a piece of visionary thought leadership from the industry, informing an Action Plan that is rooted in practice, underpinned by real people and experiences, and led by the vision of those already seeking change.
This document sets forth a vision for a tourism industry in the Maldives that leads the world in climate change innovation by centering communities and regenerating nature. This vision was informed by research conducted over a year and key conversations with a wide range of stakeholders. Designed to align Goal 4 of the Maldives Fifth Tourism Master Plan— Build Climate Resilience and Protect Natural Assets—the Action Plan outlines five strategic objectives for achieving this vision, including integrating community experiences and priorities, protecting destination assets, regenerating nature, diversifying business models, and aligning with global initiatives. Core actions are presented under each objective, linking to the 10 Business Climate Action Investments presented in Section 3—a “menu” of innovative adaptation solutions businesses can invest in today to increase their resilience for tomorrow—and guidance on financing and practical steps businesses can take to adopt these critical adaptation measures.
Finally, the Action Plan lays out potential financing opportunities for both public and private sector stakeholders in the Maldives, looking at innovative financing opportunities such as Nature-based Solutions and carbon offsetting. These are financing opportunities that will only continue to grow as global demand for these solutions increases. Businesses are well-positioned to take advantage of this nature-positive global shift. Utilizing the strategies and solutions laid out in this Action Plan, businesses can begin their path towards a resilient and equitable future for their visitors, employees, communities, and destinations as a whole.
Humanity has experienced the hottest temperatures on record during the past decade. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that we are likely to exceed a 1.5°C average temperature increase, the point at which severe climate disruptions would occur, with significant impacts for humans and nature. In the Maldives, the challenge has never been so apparent. The country is among the most vulnerable on Earth to sea level rise, with more than 80 percent of its islands less than a meter above sea level. With mid-range sea level rise predicted to be between .5-1.2 meters, the Maldives is projected to lose some 77 percent of its land area by the year 2100. More than 90% of all resort infrastructure and 99% of all tourist accommodation are currently within 100m of coastline.
Attracting a record 1.7 million tourists in 2019, the tourism industry must take action to ensure communities in these destinations can adapt to a changing world. Despite having contributed little to the problem, the Maldives hosts a wealth of potential solutions. In recent years, the Government of the Maldives has made strides towards becoming a beacon of climate leadership for the rest of the world. The tourism industry in the Maldives has the opportunity to do the same—positioning itself as a visionary industry that is not only responsibly reducing its emissions, but actively helping communities to adapt to the inevitable consequences of climate change. Many initiatives across the country have already taken root—innovative waste management practices, seagrass restoration efforts, community-led mangrove conservation, and coral reef rehabilitation have all originated in and been catalyzed by the tourism sector.
Accounting for roughly 28% of GDP and 60% of foreign exchange, the tourism sector in the Maldives has an opportunity to model what approaches to innovative climate adaptation look like for the rest of the world. The Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan is designed to guide the tourism sector, with the Ministry of Tourism at the helm, through the sea of change climate change will bring over the next generation. This is a piece of visionary thought leadership from the industry, informing an Action Plan that is rooted in practice, underpinned by real people and experiences, and led by the vision of those already seeking change.
This document sets forth a vision for a tourism industry in the Maldives that leads the world in climate change innovation by centering communities and regenerating nature. This vision was informed by research conducted over a year and key conversations with a wide range of stakeholders. Designed to align Goal 4 of the Maldives Fifth Tourism Master Plan— Build Climate Resilience and Protect Natural Assets—the Action Plan outlines five strategic objectives for achieving this vision, including integrating community experiences and priorities, protecting destination assets, regenerating nature, diversifying business models, and aligning with global initiatives. Core actions are presented under each objective, linking to the 10 Business Climate Action Investments presented in Section 3—a “menu” of innovative adaptation solutions businesses can invest in today to increase their resilience for tomorrow—and guidance on financing and practical steps businesses can take to adopt these critical adaptation measures.
Finally, the Action Plan lays out potential financing opportunities for both public and private sector stakeholders in the Maldives, looking at innovative financing opportunities such as Nature-based Solutions and carbon offsetting. These are financing opportunities that will only continue to grow as global demand for these solutions increases. Businesses are well-positioned to take advantage of this nature-positive global shift. Utilizing the strategies and solutions laid out in this Action Plan, businesses can begin their path towards a resilient and equitable future for their visitors, employees, communities, and destinations as a whole.
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