The Maldives has signed onto the Paris-Nairobi Climate Initiative; a French-led initiative to promote the uptake of renewable energy and clean technologies in developing countries.
The Maldives signed the accord during a meeting in Paris between President Nasheed and Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, the French Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing.
Mohamed Aslam, Minister for Housing and Environment, signed the agreement on behalf of the Maldives. The government hopes the initiative will help the Maldives reduce its over-dependence on expensive, foreign oil.
During the meeting, President Nasheed outlined the recent progress the Maldives is making towards its goal of reducing oil dependency and reducing carbon emissions, pointing to the government’s recently published carbon neutral electricity plan.
He added that climate change was an issue that affected all countries, not just rich or poor nations. The President said developing countries should concentrate on positive steps, such as large investments in clean technology, rather than focusing on cutting back.
Minister Kosciusko-Morizet said new and clever ways of funding renewable energy projects in developing countries need to be established. She said France is encouraging its private sector companies to invest more in renewable and alternative energy sources.
