HULHULE-MALE’ BRIDGE PROJECT

EIA for the proposed Hulhule-Male’ Bridge Project
1.5.2 UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol
The Maldives is a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and
the Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC. The objective of the Convention is to achieve, in
accordance with the relevant provisions of the Convention, stabilization of greenhouse gas
concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic
interference with the climate system. Such a level should be achieved within a time-frame
sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food
production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable
manner.
The IPCC defines mitigation “as an anthropogenic intervention to reduce the sources or enhance
the sinks of greenhouse gases.” The greenhouse gas inventory of the Maldives forms an integral
part of the First National Communication of the Maldives to the UNFCCC. In March 2009, the
President of the Maldives has announced the target to make Maldives carbon neutral by 2020.
Hence, in the implementation of the project, careful attention needs to be given to ensure energy
efficiency and reduce transport related fuel consumption. Furthermore, planting of beach
vegetation would help in mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from the project.
The IPCC defines adaptation “as an adjustment in natural or human systems in response to
actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects.” Various type of adaptation include
anticipatory and reactive adaptation; private and public adaptation; and autonomous and planned
adaptation. The adaptation policies and strategies of the Maldives are given in the Maldives
National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA).
1.5.3 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
The UNCLOS provides a legal order for the seas and oceans to facilitate international
communication, promote the peaceful uses of the seas and oceans, the equitable and efficient
utilization of their resources, the conservation of their living resources and the study, protection
and preservation of the marine environment.
Under UNCLOS, the Maldives is an archipelagic state and UNCLOS provides important
provisions for the utilization of fishery resources within the territory of the Maldives and ensure
that there is no serious pollution or dumping of waste by vessels that use the territory of the
Maldives.
All vessels used in this project must comply with the UNCLOS, particularly in relation to waste
management.
Prepared by: CDE Consulting & China Shipping Environment Technology Page| 52