Workshop on Carbon Audit of the Maldives 2009
28 December 2010
A two day workshop has begun today at the Ministry of Housing and Environment to share the findings and information of the Carbon Audit of the Maldives 2009. This workshop is conducted by the experts from BeCitizen and French Ministry of Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and Town and Country Planning. In this workshop, the experts of BeCitizen will present the results of the Maldives National Greenhouse Gas Inventory with breakdown by emission types, by sector and geography, methodologies, assumptions and projections. The Policy Advisor for Greenhouse gas inventory, projections and …read more
Regulation on Control and Management of HCFCs
27 December 2010
The government has gazetted the Regulations on Control and Management of HCFCs. The regulations set a mechanism to phase-out HCFC and HCFC blends by 2020. Under this regulation, the import ban on HCFCs will be effective from 1 Jan 2011 and all importers, distributors, wholesale and retail dealers and servicing workshops of HCFCs, HCFC blends shall register with the Ministry.
Earlier this month Ministry of Housing and Environment has set the maximum import quota limit of 67 Metric tons for HCFCs for the year 2011. The decision was revealed in a public announcement made by the Ministry on the new control measures for the import of HCFCs to the Maldives. Under the new arrangements the import of HCFCs will be allowed …read more
Seminar on cost effective engineering solutions for major infrastructure projects held
26 December 2010
MHE today conducted a half day seminar on cost effective engineering solutions for major infrastructure projects.
In today’s seminar presentations were made on shore protection, access facilities, coastal protection measures and various sewerage systems operational in the Maldives.
Engineers from private and public sector discussed on ways to bring down cost of such infrastructure projects without compromising the quality of the infrastructure development projects.
Ministry will produce a report based on the outcomes of the discussions for the policy-makers.
The seminar was inaugurated by the Minister of Housing and Environment Hon.Mohamed Aslam.
MHE staff participates in the minute of silence to mark the anniversary of 2004 Tsunami
26 December 2010
Staff of MHE has today participated in the minute of silence observed to mark the anniversary of 2004 tsunami.
In the Maldives, 26 December, which is the anniversary of 2004 tsunami that caused loss of lives of many and widespread damage and destruction in the Maldives, is marked as the National Unity Day.
The minute of silence was observed throughout the Maldives today at 9.20am. Staff stood in front of the Ministry in Ameenee Magu to observe the minute of silence.
Stakeholder Workshop on finalising the Draft Environment Act
16 December 2010
A stakeholder consultation workshop on finalising the draft Environment Act was held today at Dharubaaruge by Environment Department.
The workshop, participated by government ministries, Province Offices, NGOs, and other related stakeholders, was inaugurated by the Minister of State for Housing and Environment Dr. Mohamed Shareef.
The main objective of the workshop was to consult stakeholders on the draft Environment Act and get their feedback and comments which will be incorporated into the Act before it is finalized.
The current Environment Act (Environmental Protection and Preservation Act; Act no. 04/93) was introduced in 1993. …read more
Waste Audit trip in North Province
16 December 2010
The Ministry has initiated a waste audit in the North Province, and this trip will be from the 11th to the 16th of December. The waste audit will be carried out in Naifaru, Hinnavaru and Komandoo resort.
The audit involves collecting the waste produced from different households and analyzing information on the types and amounts of waste that is gathered. This will enable MEMP to help determine the capacity of the incinerator to be placed on Raa Vandhoo (where a Regional Waste Management Facility to be established by MEMP), and the …read more
“We Don’t Have to Wait for Everybody Else to Do This”
12 December 2010
By Kate Sheppard
(Photo: Kate Sheppard)
In October, Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed installed solar panels on the roof of his home. The president himself, decked out in a hard hat, participated in the solar panel installation as part of the day of action organized by the group 350.org. It was more than a token gesture—in 2009, the country committed to going carbon neutral by 2020, which it says will be the world’s most ambitious climate change mitigation target for a single nation.
Discussion of mitigation is usually focused on the big players, like …read more
Environment Minister calls for a strong outcome on adaptation for the survival of Maldives and every other small island low lying state from COP16
09 December 2010
The Minister of Housing and Environment H.E. Mohamed Aslam addressed the 16th Conference of Parties meeting at Cancun, Mexico yesterday. In his speech, he stated that the Maldives expects this conference to result in a strong outcome on adaptation for the survival of Maldives and every other small island low lying state. He also touched on the vulnerabilities faced by small island states such as coral bleaching, ocean acidification, saltwater intrusion, coastal erosion and sea level rise. He said that Small island states are a special category of nations, that …read more
Video: Reflections from the Future Talents of Maldives
05 December 2010
Scientists estimate the Maldives will disappear this century. If you were the leader of the nation, or if you were a big star, what would you do?
The secondary school students, who are the Future Talents from the country, share their individual thoughts on this crisis. In using a video format to address the issue, these young Maldivian students have assembled various types of video footage in order to provide the world with a better understanding of the severity of the ecological problem their country currently faces.
http://english.cri.cn/7146/2010/11/24/1261s606789.htm
Maldives participates in the Second Meeting of the Asia Solar Energy Forum
01 December 2010
Second Asia Solar Energy Forum kicks off in Tokyo, Japan today.
The event is being attended by a delegation from the Maldives led by Minister of State for Housing and Environment Mr. Akram Kamaludeen.
During the inaugural session Minister of State Akram Kamaludeen delivered a key-note address.
In his speech Minister of State highlighted efforts by the Government of Maldives in promoting clean energy development in the Maldives.
In his statement State Minister Akram also said that Maldives, although an insignificant contributor to the issue at stake, is taking very bold steps to rid …read more