Maldives is fully dependent on imported fossil fuel for energy supply with an annual rate of increase of 11% annually. Power generation and transportation for land and sea transport are the main source of emissions, greenhouse gas and as well as air pollution. As such, the two projects under this theme are focused on minimising emissions and sustaining a low carbon footprint into the future, while at the same time, making efficient the public transportation system.

Integrated Sustainable and Low Emissions Transport in the Maldives:

According to the Ministry of Environment, the transport sector alone accounts for 31 per cent of overall energy consumption in the country. The transport sector is expected to account for a larger share of Greenhouse Gas(GHG) emissions and air pollution as motorisation and urbanisation continues to rise in the country. In the Male’ region, air pollution is becoming a serious concern.

Through this project which is planned to be delivered in a five year period, the Government seeks promote an integrated, sustainable and low emissions transport system and reduce fossil fuel consumption, GHG emissions and air pollution from the transport sector through establishment of low emissions technologies for transport, framing the policy framework to aid delivery, and knowledge management and public awareness campaigns geared towards achieving this.

The project seeks to deploy electric vehicles and establish charging facilities, strengthen national air quality monitoring, and enforce vehicle emission standards.

Establishment of a Greater Male’ Land Transport Network:

This project seeks to address the need for a connected Greater Male’ Land Transport Network, which has increased since the inauguration of the Sinamale’ Bridge on the 30th of August 2018. Reliance on private or own transportation solutions have worsened the traffic congestion and increased carbon emissions in the region. Through this project, the Government seeks to provide a public transport service which the customers can rely on and are satisfied with and provide the regulatory bodies with more control over the transportation infrastructure. The system is to be designed to cater for transport services in Male’, Hulhule’, and Hulhumale’ (inclusive of Phase 1 and 2). In this regard, the Government aims to implement mini-bus services with the target of reducing emissions in the process.