Presidential Advisory Council on Climate Change established

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

President Mohamed Nasheed has established an advisory council to spearhead the government’s efforts to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. President Nasheed inaugurated the council at a press conference held on Wednesday afternoon at the President’s Office.

Speaking at the press conference, the President said that the government hoped that other countries would take example from the Maldives’ initiative and galvanize themselves into taking much-needed radical action.

The Presidential Advisory Council on Climate Change will provide expert advice on how the Maldives can cut its greenhouse gas emissions to become the world’s first carbon neutral country in ten years. The advisory council will also recommend adaptation measures that the Maldives can introduce to protect the country from rising sea levels.

Vice President Mohamed Waheed will chair the council, which will present its recommendations for action to President Nasheed.

Members of the Advisory Council on Climate Change include: Minister of Housing, Transport and Environment Mohamed Aslam; Minister of State for Fisheries and Agriculture Dr Mohamed Ali; physical planning expert Ahmed Sadiq, policy strategist Dr Simad Saeed; marine scientist Dr Mohamed Shiham Adam; Marine biologist Hussain Zahir; environmental health expert Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed; coastal erosion expert Dr Mohamed Shareef; environmental management expert Hudha Ahmed; UNDP representative Mohamed Inaz ; Environmental Institute representative Ahmed Saleem; Energy Expert Mohamed Rasheed; Housing Engineer Ibrahim Hameez; coral reefs Expert Abdul Azeez Abdul Hakeem and secretariat Amjad Abdulla.

The council will also be supported by a group of international climate and energy experts. The international support group will be inaugurated by President Nasheed during his official visit to Britain next week.

President Nasheed announced plans for the Maldives to become the world’s first carbon neutral country on 15 March. A switch from oil to 100% renewable energy production lies at the heart of the Maldives’ plan.

At the press conference, President Nasheed, Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed and Environment Minister Mohamed Aslam took questions from the media. Some members of the Climate Change Advisory Council were also present at the press conference.

Reader Comments

Post a comment

 characters available



The opinions expressed here are those of the individual authors and commenters and do not necessarily represent the views of Miadhu News Daily. We do not take responsibility for the opinions, facts, or claims presented by individual authors or commenters, and reserve the right to moderate or delete inappropriate comments.

Miadhu Opinion Poll
  • Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.