Climate Emergency Act (Act No. 9 of 2021).

This Act provides for developing of policies and implementing the legal and administrative framework for climate change measures and to make Maldives carbon neutral while ensuring sustainable development. Section 2 lays down the purpose of the Act which includes describing the mechanism for climate change adaptation and mitigation, compliance with Maldives’ international commitment, formulating and implementing plans and programmes in respect of climate change, and making Maldives carbon neutral by 2030. Section 3 outlines the principles for taking climate change measures. Section 4 lays down the carbon emissions reduction targets and section 7 requires the Minister to prepare a carbon budget containing the amount of carbon estimated to be emitted for each calendar year in order to achieve the objective set out in section 4. Section 8 states the considerations to be made in making the carbon budget.
Section 11 provides for appointment of Special Envoy for Climate Change who shall be accountable to the President. The responsibilities of the Special Envoy are mentioned in section 13 which includes representing Maldives in the international arena on climate change. Section 16 establishes a department called Climate Change Directorate (Directorate) under the Ministry responsible for climate change and section 18 lays down its responsibilities. Section 19 provides for the responsibilities of the Minister responsible for climate change which includes making national climate change policies, achieving objectives set out in section 4 of the Act, submitting carbon budget to the Parliament, ensuring carbon emission do not exceed the carbon budget, and providing assistance and advice in the implementation of strategic plans, action plans and programs for climate change.
Section 20 requires preparation of a National Action Plan on Climate Change. The procedure to prepare such plan and the matters to be includes are set out. Section 21 requires the Directorate to submit to the Minister, a yearly report on the implementation of this Act. Section 23 provides for establishment of an independent institution to manage funds received from domestic and international sources to address climate change. Section 25 requires the Directorate to make regulations for implementing this Act.