Integrating Climate Change Consideration into Environmental Impact Assessment Process in the Maldives
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Integrating Climate Change Consideration into Environmental Impact Assessment
Process in the Maldives
Ms. Safa Ahmed
Assistant Director, Environmental Compliance and Assessment Department,
Environmental Protection Agency/ Ministry of Environment and Energy, Maldives
Abstract: Threats posed by climate change to low-lying islands such as the Maldives is very real
and imminent. Although the Maldives hardly contributes to climate change, the Maldives would
be one of most severely affected countries in the world due the undesirable effects of climate
change. To combat the causes and adapt to the impacts of climate change, several environmental
management techniques are being used worldwide. In modern day environmental management,
one of the principal tools employed to address climate change risks and adaptation requirements
is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). In the Maldives, the EIA process encompasses,
stages such as screening, scoping, impact assessment and report preparation, decision making
and implementation and monitoring. Each of these stages contains the elements required to
mitigate and minimize impacts of climate change through the development project. This article
will highlight how climate change adaptation and mitigation techniques are integrated and
addressed in the current regulatory EIA process in the Maldives, and how the process can further
be enhanced to be in line with internationally recommended guidelines. In terms of regulatory
framework and guidelines, EIA process in the Maldives is on par with the international standards,
however the implementation and associated monitoring require further attention and
improvements.
1. Introduction
The significant, long-term variation in the Climate change has become one of the most
global climate is believed to be the biggest frequently discussed environmental issues
threat to the small low-lying island states worldwide (Ogden & Inns 2008); however,
around the world. According to literature, there is just a little consensus concerning
ninety per cent (90%) of the Small Island Environmental Impact Assessment’s (EIA)
Developing States (SIDS) are in the tropics, role in addressing this global problem (Curtis
meaning that they are prone to extreme et al.2005). EIA is envisaged as a key
weather events, such as tropical storms instrument in combating climate change by
coupled with dramatic fluctuations in pre-eminent environmental conventions
weather conditions, for instance, flooding, such as the ‘United Nations Framework on
storm surges, changes in rainfall patterns Climate Change Convention,’ (UNFCCC) and
and other ecological shifts. In addition to
Kyoto Protocol. As per these agreements,
this, the detrimental effects of climate
adaptations to minimize greenhouse gas
change, such as increasing temperatures
leading to coral bleaching, are already being emissions, impact on health, economy and
seen on the reefs of these islands.
Integrating Climate Change Consideration into Environmental Impact Assessment Process in the Maldives 1
Safa Ahmed, 2018environment and adaptation responses to project that could have a significant impact
climate change effects must be addressed in on the environment is carried out. EIA report
the EIA process. preparation process is laid out and regulated
by the ‘Regulation on Preparation of
Maldives being a small low-lying island state, Environmental Impact Assessment Report
contributes a petite fraction of global carbon 2012’ (MEE 2012), which is administered by
dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions, yet the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
the country will be among the first few to of the Maldives. The regulation stipulates
suffer from the deleterious impacts of climate change adaptation and mitigation
climate change. There is perhaps not much requirements to the extent prescribed by
that the Maldives can do in terms of UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol. It must be,
prevention of climate change, however, it is however, noted that the EIA process is not
a matter of adapting to the reality of climate completely under the jurisdiction of the EPA.
change and taking necessary actions to The Ministry of Tourism holds jurisdiction
mitigate the impacts of climate variations. It over EIA process with regard to the tourism
was in the year 2001 that a vulnerability related projects under the Maldives Tourism
assessment was undertaken for the first Act (MoT 2015).
time to make the Maldives resilient and
adaptable to the detrimental impacts of
climate change, and the study was 2. Overview of the Stages of EIA Process in
documented in 2006 as the ‘Maldives Maldives
National Adaptation Program of Action’
(NAPA) (MEEW 2006). NAPA is an action plan Current rules pertaining to the EIA process
aimed at helping to adapt to the drastic already encompass climate change
changes in the sea level, damages to the requirements.
coral reefs, variations to global temperature,
effects of severe storms and variations in There are 5 broad stages to the process:
rain fall patterns. Furthermore, the Maldives
Climate Change Policy Framework (MCCPF), 2.1. Screening
which proposes the strategic policies that
the government and other relevant This stage decides whether or not a
stakeholders are required to consider to particular developmental project triggers an
respond to climate change impacts from the EIA. Where likely impacts of a project are not
year 2015 to 2025, was also developed for a clearly identified, an initial environmental
similar cause (MEE 2015). examination is prepared to determine
whether the project warrants an EIA. On the
Besides Maldives being a signatory to the other hand, if the project is expected to have
UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol, the a mild impact on the environment, an
constitution of the Maldives decrees that the Environmental Management Plan is
fundamental responsibility of protecting the required. Such a plan explains the best
environment lies with the State. practices that need to be followed to avoid,
Environmental Protection and Preservation minimize and manage the impacts during
Act (1993) mandates that EIA process be the construction and operational stage of
completed and gained approval before a
Integrating Climate Change Consideration into Environmental Impact Assessment Process in the Maldives 2
Safa Ahmed, 2018the project so that they are environmentally in the EIA report. In addition to the technical
acceptable. information, the report must also have a
non-technical summary presented in a
2.2. Scoping succinct non-technical format targeted to
the general public.
This stage concludes the content and scope
of the EIA report, which moreover identifies
the significant issues and impacts to be 2.4. Decision Making
reflected upon during the assessment. EIA
scoping does not specifically address climate The reviews from EIA reviewers and
change. However, as per the ‘Terms of technical personnel from the EPA, together
Reference’ (ToR) (established for impact with any other information which is relevant
analysis subsequent to the scoping meeting), to the EIA of the project, and any comments
the baseline data of climate parameters such made by the public are taken into account by
as rainfall, temperature, hydrography and the EPA in deciding whether or not to grant
hydrodynamics and other related consent for the proposed project. The final
information on the existing environment of decision by the EPA is published on the EPA’s
the area affected by the project must be website and is available to the public.
presented in the EIA report in such a way Despite limited technical expertise on
that the obtained data will be usefully climate change available in Maldives, ways
applied to future monitoring programs. Data to mitigate the negative impacts and
collected during this stage would adaptation to the changes in the climate are
undoubtedly assist future climate change considered in the EIA process in the
impact analysis of the Maldives. Maldives.
2.3. Impact Assessment and Report 2.5. Implementation and Monitoring
Preparation
The following come within the ambit of
This involves the assessment of the implementation and monitoring.
identified impacts and significance of such
impacts, which will ultimately be used by the Evaluating how recommendations
EPA to decide whether or not to approve the made in the EIA report and decision’s
project. The EIA is produced as a formal condition are implemented
document, known as the ‘Environmental Establishing the baseline conditions
Impact Assessment Report’ (EIA report), Measuring impact caused during the
construction phase of the project
which sets out factual information
Confirming whether all the
concerning the project, comprising the
conditions are met within the
information outlined in the ToR. The project acceptable limits
must be evaluated and tested against a Bridging the links to environmental
range of climate scenarios including hazard plans
vulnerability, such as risk of hurricanes, Regular monitoring and evaluation
vulnerability of the project area to flooding
and storm surges, and need to be presented
Integrating Climate Change Consideration into Environmental Impact Assessment Process in the Maldives 3
Safa Ahmed, 2018Integrating Climate Change Consideration into Environmental Impact Assessment Process in the Maldives 4 Safa Ahmed, 2018
3. Challenges and Way Forward the EIA process due to undesirable political
influence. Mangrove eco-systems are
Like many other developing countries, EIA considered as incredible long-term carbon
process is relatively a recent requirement in sinks and offer a unique and highly efficient
the Maldives. The current EIA process in the approach to climate change mitigation and
Maldives is carried out in a fragmented adaptation, especially for coastal
manner, and the process is distant from communities (Colls et al. 2009 & Vong et al.
perfection as the relevant mandate is shared
2011).
between the EPA and the Ministry of Tourism.
Ministry of Tourism looks after EIA process of the Furthermore, lack of human resource and
tourism related projects, under the Tourism EIA technical expertise in the field of climate
Regulation (MoT 2015). Since the Ministry of change modelling is of great concern. EIA
Tourism’s primary mandate is the development consultants, EIA reports with in-depth study
of tourism sector, the Tourism Ministry is and other technical persons are short in
expected to have an interest in tourism related supply, and have become significant factors
projects. Hence, it is dubious whether the contributing to progressively decrease the
Ministry of Tourism could carry-out the EIA quality of the EIA reports. EIA consultants
process impartially and effectively. are regulated by the EPA, however it is a
process in need of review and revamp.
Political instability, lack of awareness among Moreover, it is noted that climate related
the stakeholders and lack of environmental reliable data availability is insufficient to
conscience among the general public have analyze the impacts of climate variation on
all lead to unique challenges in enforcing the the developmental projects.
requirements of the EIA reports.
Consequently, the benefit of incorporating Additionally, due to the fact that Maldives is
adaptation and mitigation measures in the spread over a thousand very small islands of
EIA reports may have little or no positive which only around 200 scarcely populated
impact. inhabited islands, one of the bottlenecks in
the development of Maldives has always
In the Maldives, EIA process outside of the been the transportation between the
tourism boundary is regulated by the EPA islands. Well prepared EIA reports with all
which is one of the constituent institutions the recommended mitigation and
of the Ministry of Environment and Energy adaptation measures, may not have the
(MEE). Although the EPA has some vested desired impact if the project is not well
powers, the decision of the EPA can be inspected and monitored by the EPA, and
overruled by the Minister responsible for transportation cost and logistical
MEE. Over the years, this has presented arrangements for inspection of such projects
some unique challenges where professional have always been an immense challenge for
decisions were replaced by political power. the EPA.
Given the political structure, the EPA of the
Maldives needs to be a statutory body free 4. Conclusion
from political influence. There have been
cases where the mangrove eco-systems In conclusion, climate related factors must
were not given the due protection through take priority over all other factors in
Integrating Climate Change Consideration into Environmental Impact Assessment Process in the Maldives 5
Safa Ahmed, 2018determining the shape of an EIA. Climate Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water
change is taken into account in the existing (MEEW)2006 ‘National Adaptation
EIA process of the Maldives. However, Programme of Action (NAPA)’
improving and fine tuning of the existing EIA https://www.preventionweb.net/files/8466
process will lead to improved climate change _NAPAmaldives.pdf, retrieved on 06 March
mitigation and adapting techniques, and 2018.
increased resilience to the impacts of
climate change. It must also be noted that, Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE)
lack of adequate knowledge of stakeholders 2012, ‘Regulation on Preparation of
on specific climate related factors addressed Environmental Impact Assessment Report
in EIA, and undue political influence are 2012’,
hindrances to ultimate goal desired from the http://www.environment.gov.mv/v1/laws-
whole EIA process. Moreover, domestic legal and-regulations/, retrieved on 06 March
instruments must be amended, if the need 2018.
be, so that sufficient prominence is
particularly given to the areas of climate Ministry of Tourism (MoT)2015 ’Tourism EIA
change mitigation and adaptation in the EIA Regulation’,
procedures. http://www.tourism.gov.mv/packages/eia-
regulation-no-2015r-157/, retrived on 06
March 2018.
5.References
Ministry of Tourism (MoT) 2015 ‘Maldives
Colls A, Ash N, and Ikkala N (2009). Ecosystem- Tourism Act (Law No. 2/99)’,
based Adaptation: a natural response to climate http://www.tourism.gov.mv/packages/mal
change. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. 16pp. dives-tourism-act-law-no-299-english-2/, 07
March 2018.
Curtis, B 2005. Integrating Climate Change
Adaptation Capabilities into the U.S.
Ogden A E & Innes J L 2008 Climate change
Environmental Impact Assessment Process:
adaptation and regional forest planning in
Prospects According to Practitioners. Lunds
southern Yukon, Canada Mitigation and
Universitet, Lund, Sweden. Adaptation Strategies for Global Change
13(8): 833-861.
MEE 2015 ‘Maldives Climate Change Policy
Framework’ Vong Sok , Bryan J. Boruff & Angus
http://www.environment.gov.mv/v2/wp- Morrison-Saunders (2011) Addressing
content/files/publications/20150810-pub- climate change through environmental
maldives-cc-policy-framework-final- impact assessment: international
10aug2015.pdf, retrieved on 06 March 2018. perspectives from a survey of IAIA members,
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal,
29:4, 317-325.
Integrating Climate Change Consideration into Environmental Impact Assessment Process in the Maldives 6
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