Environment Minister highlights the need to remove financial obstacles in achieving eco-friendly solutions

Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology Aminath Shauna has highlighted the need to remove the financial obstacles that are in the way of achieving environment-friendly solutions through modern technology.

The environment minister made the remarks in an interview with CNN in relation to the report by the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on the potential effect of global warming. The report stated the recent changes in the climate are unprecedented, noting if immediate, rapid and deep emission cuts are not undertaken in the next decade, limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius will be beyond reach.

Speaking to CNN, Environment Miniser Shauna highlighted the immediate dangers posed by climate change and global warming to low-lying island nations like the Maldives. As such, the minister noted 90% of inhabited islands in the Maldives face the issue of coastal erosion and flooding, with 64% of islands facing severe effects of erosion. She noted about 50% of houses built in islands are within a proximity of 100 metres from the sea.

Speaking further, the environment minister highlighted the importance of collaborated efforts by the international community to combat the impact of climate change. In this regard, she highlighted the need to remove the financial obstacles in achieving eco-friendly solutions that reduce emissions, through the help of modern technology. She reiterated the need to act immediately in addressing the issues related to climate change.

IPCC’s report, which was released after two weeks of deliberation, was approved by 196 countries. The report was compiled by 234 authors and 516 co-authors from 66 countries and is based on the physical sciences of climate change focused on past, present and future changes.