Perceptions of climate change risks and resilient island planning in the Maldives - Sovacool, November 2011

Abstract: This article explores the drivers, benefits, and challenges facing climate change adaptation in the Maldives. It specifically investigates the “Integrating Climate Change Risks into Resilient Island Planning in the Maldives” Program, or ICCR, a four-year $9.3 million adaptation project being funded by the Least Developed Countries Fund, Maldivian Government and the United  Nations Development Program, and nationally executed by the Ministry of Housing, Transport and Environment of the Maldivian Government. The article asks: what is the perception of coastal adaptation in the Maldives, and what are the potential contributions from the ICCR project? To answer this question, the article summarizes eight primary sectors vulnerable to climate change in the  Maldives: human settlements, critical infrastructure, tourism, fisheries, health systems, water, food security, and coral reef biodiversity. It then describes the genesis and background behind the ICCR, which addresses many of these vulnerabilities by demonstrating coastal protection measures. Benefits to the ICCR include improving physical resilience by deploying “soft” infrastructure,  institutional resilience by training policymakers and enhancing good governance, and community resilience by strengthening community assets and awareness. Challenges include ensuring that adaptation efforts are enough to truly respond to climate vulnerability, lack of coordination, and short-term thinking among business and community leaders.

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change
An International Journal Devoted to Scientific, Engineering, Socio-Economic and Policy Responses to Environmental Change
ISSN 1381-2386
Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change DOI 10.1007/s11027-011-9341-7