The Minister of State for Climate Change, Environment and Energy, Mohamed Faiz has said that the “Integrated Sustainable Low Emission Transport” (ISLET) project has yielded significant achievements in improving air quality across the archipelago.
The ISLET initiative, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented with technical support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), targets the transport sector—a critical source of emissions on the Maldives’ small islands.
State Minister Faiz warned that vehicle exhaust contributes disproportionately to poor air quality, which in turn drives respiratory and cardiovascular health problems among residents.
“Monitoring and actively improving air quality is essential for the well‑being of our communities,” he said.
He highlighted that ISLET’s core objectives include establishing a legal and regulatory framework for electric vehicles (EVs), deploying a nationwide charging‑station network, and developing a National E‑Mobility Roadmap with technical standards.
To date, the project has begun procuring and testing EVs and chargers, while training sessions for engineers, policymakers and sector institutions are underway. Upon completion, the standards will be embedded in relevant Ministry regulations, and financing mechanisms will be arranged to help private buyers acquire eco‑friendly vehicles. Charging infrastructure will also be paired with solar power systems to ensure sustainable operation, he added.