Environmental Sustainability in the Maldives

Just saw this, thought I'd share it with the crowd.

"US$12.5m credit for environmental sustainability in the Maldives
Source: World Bank
Published Jun. 11, 2008

The World Bank has approved a US$12.5 million credit to assist the Government of Maldives to effectively manage environmental risks to fragile coral reefs and other marine habitats. The Environment Management Project is designed to help the government control the threats to coral reefs and marine habitats resulting from development, increased solid waste disposal and global climate change. The project aims to advance the government’s national development agenda by enhancing the environmental sustainability of growth in the Maldives and improving the management of its key environmental assets.

“The Maldives faces daunting environmental risks that threaten to undermine its economic achievements,” said Richard Damania, Senior Environmental Economist and task leader for the project. “The country’s coral reefs which protect it from storm surges and serve as the main asset of the tourism-driven economy are in danger of being damaged or destroyed from poorly handled waste disposal methods. The project aims to counter these risks by improving solid waste management and building capacity to strengthen incentives for better environmental administration.”

The project will address the solid waste management problem by establishing solid waste management facilities on targeted islands, thus reducing the risks of contamination associated with accumulated wastes and sea dumping, which is a common practice. With its fragile marine environment there is a need for specifically tailored solutions to develop a sustainable solid waste management system with stringent conditions for site selection, engineering, technology choice, and management.

Building human and technical capacity for environmental management so that the environmental dimension is integrated in the planning process is another objective of the project. This will be carried out through capacity building and technical assistance covering a range of priorities, and through a pilot regional strategic environmental assessment. The project will also finance a subcomponent that will include a communication campaign aimed at developing environmental awareness, action, and advocacy.

The Environment Management Project is consistent with the government’s Country Assistance Strategy objective of strengthening environmental management and building greater resilience to climate variability and change. The US$12.5 million credit from the International Development Association, the World Bank’s concessionary lending arm, has 40 years to maturity with a 10-year grace period."