The government has signed an agreement to improve data collection for its National Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory. The agreement, signed between the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, the Utility Regulatory Authority (URA), and the Maldives Bureau of Statistics (MBS), aims to bolster the accuracy of data related to energy use and emissions reporting.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim, highlighted the crucial need for a robust data system to address climate change challenges. He emphasised that the agreement will help establish a more transparent and accountable reporting framework, aligning with the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) of the Paris Agreement. This initiative is expected to significantly support the Maldives in meeting its climate mitigation and adaptation targets.
The partnership focuses on enhancing collaboration between the Ministry, MBS, and the URA to improve the collection of energy data. This effort is particularly important for fulfilling the transparency requirements under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. Additionally, the initiative includes technical assistance to update data collection processes, ensuring the accuracy of information gathered from key sectors like tourism, where energy use plays a critical role.
The project is part of the Capacity-Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) Maldives project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment). The initiative also involves updating survey tools to better capture energy consumption data, which will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.
By improving data accuracy and transparency, the Maldives aims to strengthen its climate action efforts and align with international reporting standards, reinforcing its commitment to addressing the impacts of climate change.
