Your Excellencies, Your Royal Highnesses, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
I am here today because, in many ways, Abu Dhabi represents the future.
I am here because this enlightened country is jettisoning the past and embracing change.
Abu Dhabi is investing the proceeds of yesterday’s resources to build the green economy of tomorrow.
And so I am here to learn about your pioneering work in renewable energy and carbon neutrality, and see how technologies from Abu Dhabi can be utilized in the Maldives.
We all know the dangers of climate change.
If we don’t act now, our coral reefs and rainforests will die…
… desert countries will become unbearably hot…
… and low lying countries like the Maldives, will slip beneath the rising seas.
A month ago, we met in Copenhagen to tackle climate change head on.
At Copenhagen, we took important steps forward; agreeing to limit future temperature rises.
And we committed financing to help poor countries adapt to climate change and pursue green development.
But while we secured some positive outcomes, we must also be honest about Copenhagen’s limitations:
The Copenhagen Accord, in its current form, will not prevent catastrophic climate change.
Our challenge this year, and next, is therefore to strengthen the Accord so it becomes a blueprint for planet - saving action.
Tackling climate change is not like dealing with other global issues, such as trade or disarmament.
We do not have the luxury of time to meet, year after year, in endless negotiations.
And the science of climate change means we cannot accept a watered down, minimalist treaty.
After all, we cannot negotiate with the laws of physics.
We cannot cut a deal with Mother Nature.
We must learn to live within the planetary boundaries that nature has set.
To prevent climate meltdown, science tells us that temperatures must not rise by more than 1.5 degrees.
Global carbon emissions must peak by 2015 and reduce thereafter.
We need to reduce atmospheric carbon pollution below 350 parts per million.
In short, by the Century-end, the entire world needs to go carbon neutral.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The change needed to combat climate change is radical.
We do not possess all the technologies.
There are concerns over the cost.
And there are powerful vested interests trying to prevent change.
When faced with a seemingly insurmountable challenge, it is easy to become despondent.
But I remain optimistic.
I believe in mankind’s infinite capacity for innovation and change.
Technological breakthroughs are occurring at an ever-increasing pace.
The advent of the steam engine, machine tools and the spinning jenny helped spark the Industrial Revolution.
Advances such as electric cars, bio fuels and renewable energy will power the 21st Century’s green revolution.
Countries, and companies, that choose to lead this change, will be the winners of this Century.
Fossil fuels may appear cheaper than renewables, but sooner or later polluters will be forced to pay for the damage their products cause.
Copenhagen achieved only limited results.
But make no mistake: the vast majority of world leaders are determined to strengthen the Copenhagen Accord.
When they do, market failures will be corrected and carbon pollution will be properly penalised.
The cost of carbon intensive production will rise sharply over the coming decades.
At the same time, renewables are becoming more efficient and affordable.
To my mind, the smart money is green.
The Maldives is encouraging radical change to protect the planet.
But we understand that you should not ask others to do something, unless you are prepared to do it first.
We want to shine a light, not loudly demand that others go first into the dark.
This is why, last year, the Maldives announced plans to become the first carbon neutral country in the world.
And we invite you to join us, on our journey towards carbon neutrality.
The Maldives is open for business.
We are open to those who want to test the latest renewable technologies: in energy; waste; water; housing; and transport.
And so we invite you to come to the Maldives and share the best of your technologies.
We are not alone in embracing the future; other pioneering nations are leading the way.
There is no better example than Abu Dhabi.
Masdar is investing in renewable projects around the world.
And carbon neutral Masdar City is pioneering green 21st Century living.
It is no surprise that this Emirate was chosen to hose IRENA.
And the Maldives is proud to have supported your candidacy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The curtain is closing on carbon intensive fuels.
And renewables are taking centre stage in the new energy economy of the future.
Some nations choose to take a back seat in this green revolution.
But others, such as Abu Dhabi, are playing a major role in the greatest transformation since the start of the Industrial Age.
When I visit places such as Abu Dhabi, and witness how fast change is happening, I am more optimistic about the future.
With the leadership being shown here, I am certain we can tackle the climate crisis.
Together, we can build a brighter future.
And we can choose to leave our children a planet that is richer, and more exuberant, than the one we inherited.
