International Research Collaboration for Climate Action
MNU actively participates in international research consortia addressing climate change, environmental degradation, and sustainability challenges. Recent and currently ongoing key initiatives include the following:
The Sustainable Nitrogen Management for a Clean and Healthy Oceans Maldives (CHOMV) Project (June 2025–July 2031) aims to address nutrient pollution in the Maldivian marine environment through the adoption of sustainable nitrogen management practices. The Maldives is recognised as a globally significant marine biodiversity hotspot, with its coral reef ecosystems facing increasing threats from climate change, particularly coral bleaching, and nutrient pollution. Degradation of the marine and coastal ecosystems can lead to social and economic impacts and can include loss of coastal water ecosystem quality (damage to coral reefs, changes in seagrass cover and condition), fish kills, air quality and climate change, all linked through nitrogen and nutrient pollution.These combined pressures threaten marine biodiversity and have significant implications for fisheries and tourism.The six-year project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with a grant of USD 4.5 million under its Clean and Healthy Ocean Integrated Programme, is jointly executed by the Maldives National University (MNU) and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), in association with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).The project’s inception workshop was held on 4 May 2026, followed by its official launch ceremony, officiated by the Honourable Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Energy of Maldives, Mr Ali Shareef.
The Regional Hub for Asia Climate Change and Health (REACH) project (October 2024–December 2028) is a collaborative research initiative implemented by Monash University Malaysia, Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, and the Maldives National University (MNU), with funding of CAD 4.5 million from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The project forming part of the Advancing Research for Climate and Health (ARCH) initiative aims to strengthen climate action by generating evidence on the health impacts of climate change, particularly among vulnerable populations across South and Southeast Asia. REACH focuses on improving climate and health data, strengthening research capacity, promoting climate and health literacy, and translating research findings into evidence-based policies and practices. Through research collaboration, community engagement, and knowledge sharing, the initiative supports the development of inclusive, climate-resilient health systems and strengthens regional capacity to respond to emerging climate-related health risks. To promote regional innovation, REACH launched a funding call in 2025, inviting researchers, institutions, organisations, and industry partners from 14 eligible countries across South and Southeast Asia to collaboratively develop scalable, community-driven solutions to climate-related health challenges.
The Resilience to Climate Vulnerability and Environmental Risk (RECOVER): Focus on Small Islands project (June 2024–December 2026) is an international research initiative led by the University of Waterloo, Canada, in partnership with the Maldives National University (MNU), the University of Mauritius, and Sustainability for Seychelles. Funded through the Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) programme of IDRC Canada and the FCDO UK. With a grant of USD 1.2 million, the project aims to strengthen climate adaptation and resilience in SIDS through evidence-based research, circular economy approaches, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. RECOVER focuses on understanding socio-metabolic risks associated with resource use, developing climate-resilient and circular solutions for critical resources, including water, food, energy, and construction materials, and exploring nature-based solutions to enhance community wellbeing and resource efficiency. In the Maldives, key research activities include Hydro-Socio-Metabolic Risk (Hydro-SMR) analysis of Malé’s water system (1998–2024), groundwater quality assessments, and studies of water security and accessibility involving vulnerable communities through Real-World Labs (RWLs). Additional activities include rainfall trend and Intensity–Duration–Frequency (IDF) analysis (1993–2024), assessment of flooding risks, development of a Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), and research on household water use and biomass flows in food systems. The project also promotes social and environmental justice by engaging vulnerable and underrepresented groups in climate adaptation research and decision-making. To strengthen research capacity, RECOVER incorporates a mobility and peer-mentorship programme that facilitates knowledge exchange, collaborative learning, and skills development among researchers working on climate adaptation in SIDS. Through interdisciplinary research, regional knowledge exchange, and capacity building, RECOVER contributes to SDG 13 by generating evidence to inform climate adaptation planning, promoting resource-efficient and climate-resilient systems, and strengthening the capacity of small island communities to respond to climate-related risks.
The Precision Agriculture and Sustainable Environment Curricula Modernisation Supporting Climate Changes Resilient Society (PASEC) project (2026–2028) is an Erasmus+ initiative led by the University of Zagreb, bringing together universities and partner institutions from Europe and Asia, including the Maldives National University (MNU). With a grant of EUR 799,703, the project aims to strengthen climate resilience and food security through the modernisation of higher education curricula and the promotion of precision agriculture and sustainable agricultural practices in the Maldives, Indonesia, and Thailand. Recognising the challenges posed by climate change, limited resources, and rapid technological advancements, PASEC focuses on strengthening the knowledge and technical skills of educators, students, researchers, farmers, and public and private sector stakeholders. Through the integration of digital technologies, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and data-driven agricultural approaches into education and training, the project seeks to improve resource efficiency, agricultural productivity, and environmental sustainability. PASEC project contributes to Climate Action by strengthening climate change education, promoting research and capacity building in climate-smart agriculture, and supporting the adoption of innovative technologies to enhance agricultural resilience and food security.
Read more: PASEC Project Official Website
The AI Foundation Models for Sustainable Asset Management in Emerging Economies: The Benchmark Island Dataset – Pilot Phase project (December 2025 – August 2026) was a collaborative research initiative involving the Maldives National University, Imperial College London, and Google Inc. The project focused on developing a high-quality remote sensing dataset to support the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in monitoring environmental and infrastructure changes in small island environments. The pilot study was undertaken in Kudahuvadhoo, Dhaalu Atoll, where MNU collaborated with researchers from Imperial College London to design and implement a remote sensing data collection strategy. The project involved identifying critical island and offshore locations for monitoring changes in island morphology, coastal environments, and infrastructure over a six-month period. Key activities included two field campaigns involving drone-based surveys, high-precision Ground Control Points (GCPs), and radiometric calibration to generate reliable datasets for testing AI-based change detection algorithms. The project contributed to SDG 13 by strengthening research capacity in remote sensing, geospatial technologies, and AI-based environmental monitoring. The resulting datasets and monitoring approaches were intended to support climate-related risk assessment, coastal change detection, infrastructure vulnerability analysis, and evidence-based adaptation planning in the Maldives. Through international research collaboration and field-based technical training, the initiative also supported knowledge exchange and capacity building in emerging technologies relevant to climate resilience.
MNU has successfully completed several international research projects contributing to SDG 13 through climate change education, adaptation research, environmental monitoring, disaster risk reduction, and capacity building. Key initiatives include the EU-funded PROMISE Project (2020–2025), led by MNU, promoted sustainable waste management, circular economy practices, and marine litter prevention across the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and India, Erasmus+ CHILDRN Project (2021–2023), which strengthened climate change education, curriculum development, and institutional capacity, and the UN4DRR Project (2020–2023) focused on enhanced disaster risk reduction capabilities through geospatial technologies, training, and the establishment of a geospatial laboratory at MNU. Lakshadweep Zero-Waste Alliance (LOWA) was established under the PROMISE project and registered as an NGO in the Maldives to promote sustainable consumption and production, waste reduction, and a zero-waste future across coastal communities in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and India.The UKRI GCRF South Asian Nitrogen Hub (SANH) (2019-2024) advanced research on nitrogen pollution and its environmental and climate implications, including the development of the Maldives Nitrogen Policy Report. Other initiatives include the collaborative project with Duke University on air quality monitoring (2020–2025) “Building Capacity to Improve Air Quality in South Asia: Reducing PM2.5 Through Low-Cost Sensor Network Driven Policy Decisions” and University of Plymouth-led research on the physical impacts of sea-level rise on atoll islands. These projects demonstrate MNU’s experience in implementing international research collaborations, generating scientific evidence, strengthening institutional capacity, and supporting climate adaptation and environmental sustainability. MNU continues to build on these achievements through ongoing research.
