世界银行-马尔代夫国家环境分析：迈向更可持续、更有韧性的蓝色经济（英）-2024-358页_19mb

Maldives: Country Environmental Analysis - Towards a More Sustainable and Resilient Blue Economy

Core Content

The Maldives is a small island nation located in the Indian Ocean, with 26 natural atolls and 1192 coral reef islands. Its economy is heavily reliant on blue natural capital, particularly marine and coastal ecosystems, which underpin key economic sectors such as tourism and fisheries, contributing directly to about half of the GDP and a significant portion of employment. The country has made substantial progress in physical and human capital development, including doubling its real income per capita in 20 years, achieving universal electricity access by 2014, and significantly improving literacy and life expectancy.

However, this development path has come at a cost to the environment. Natural capital degradation is driven by four main factors: coastal development, ocean pollution, unsustainable resource use, and climate change. These challenges threaten the resilience of the islands, particularly in the face of sea-level rise (SLR) and coastal hazards. Coral reefs, for instance, are critical for coastal protection, sediment supply, and economic stability, yet they are increasingly under threat due to bleaching events, coastal infrastructure, and human pressures.

Main Challenges and Key Issues

• Coral Reef Degradation:

  • Coral cover has declined significantly during major bleaching events in 1998 and 2016.
  • Coral reefs provide essential sediment and coastal protection, and their loss could increase annual flood damages by up to 8% of GDP.
  • Ocean heating, especially during El Niño events, exacerbates coral bleaching, reducing recovery capacity.

• Coastal Development Pressures:

  • Land reclamation and port/harbor projects have altered over 10 km² of reef and lagoon areas since 2002.
  • Coastal development has led to accelerated erosion, loss of natural defenses, and increased vulnerability to SLR and storm surges.
  • The reliance on gray infrastructure (e.g., seawalls, breakwaters) has created maladaptive practices that hinder long-term resilience.

• Ocean Pollution:

  • Solid waste leakage threatens marine and coastal ecosystems, with plastic and fishing line waste found in water and on coral reefs.
  • Wastewater from local islands is often discharged without adequate treatment.
  • There is a lack of systematic monitoring and data collection on water pollution and its health impacts.

• Unsustainable Resource Use:

  • While tuna fisheries are considered sustainable, coastal fisheries face uncertainty due to lack of data and over-extraction of reef fish and live bait.
  • The current Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) network covers only a small portion of the ocean, with limited enforcement and management plans.

Recommendations for a Sustainable Blue Economy

1. Towards Improved Evidence

• Strengthen surveillance mechanisms to assess marine ecosystem health.
• Implement a nationwide monitoring system using ground-level data and satellite/aerial sensors.
• Expand long-term plots to measure reef variability, sedimentation, and carbonate production.

2. Towards Improved National Planning

• Establish a Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) framework to balance conservation and development.
• Integrate MSP with Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and other sectoral plans.
• Ensure cumulative impact assessments and regular updates to prevent fragmented development.

3. Towards Enhanced Governance and Institutional Capacity

• Implement a comprehensive SEA process to incorporate environmental and social impacts in policy formulation.
• Strengthen environmental due diligence by expanding the scope of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).
• Update National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) regularly and enhance public involvement in EIA processes.
• Build capacity in local councils for managing protected areas and promoting decentralized governance.

4. Towards Conserving High-Biodiversity Areas

• Expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and recognize Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs).
• Review PA categorization to align with biodiversity and conservation goals.
• Develop and implement management plans for 74 PAs lacking them, including sustainable financing and staff training.

5. Towards Sustainable Coastal Protection Practices

• Develop a National Coastal Zone Management Strategy integrated with the National Spatial Plan (NSP).
• Promote adaptive infrastructure that allows for flexibility and retrofitting.
• Explore and implement nature-based solutions (NbS) such as artificial reefs, mangrove restoration, and Heyhli (indigenous coastal vegetation).
• Enhance coastal resilience through ecosystem-based management and improved monitoring of coastal dynamics and natural barriers.

Conclusion

The Maldives must transition from maladaptive coastal development and gray infrastructure reliance to a more sustainable and resilient Blue Economy. This requires enhanced governance, improved data collection, capacity building, and the adoption of nature-based solutions to protect its blue natural capital. By addressing these challenges and implementing the proposed pathways, the Maldives can ensure the long-term viability of its economy and environment.