Sustainability in MNU/Goal 13: Climate Action

Inspiring climate responsibility through education, research, and action to protect our planet’s future.

Goal 13: Climate Action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

At MNU, we recognise that climate action is vital for our nation’s survival. Guided by SDG 13 – Climate Action, we take proactive steps to understand, adapt to, and mitigate climate change through research, education, and community engagement. MNU empowers students to become sustainability leaders, protecting our islands and inspiring action for a climate-resilient Maldives.

Policies and other Links

The Maldives National University Climate and Environment Research Framework 2025-2030

MALDIVES’ THIRD NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTION

Climate Laws and Policies of the Maldives 2024-2029

Climate Action at MNU

Promoting Low-Carbon Energy Use at MNU

The University advances energy-efficient practices, renewable energy adoption, and sustainable operations to reduce its carbon footprint.

Local Climate Education and Awareness Campaigns

MNU conducts community workshops, student-led campaigns, and academic programmes that raise awareness and build local capacity on climate resilience.

Climate Change and Disaster Planning Partnerships

The University collaborates with national agencies to support research, planning, and training on disaster preparedness and climate adaptation strategies.

Supporting Government in Climate Monitoring and Research

MNU provides technical expertise, research support, and field data to assist local and regional authorities in environmental monitoring and climate assessment.

Collaborating with NGOs and Community Partners

Through joint initiatives with NGOs and civil society, MNU engages in coastal protection projects, awareness drives, and community resilience efforts.

Commitment to a Carbon-Neutral MNU

The University is working towards becoming a carbon-neutral institution through sustainable policies, efficient resource use, and long-term climate action planning.

International Projects

PROMISE Project

The PROMISE project (2020–2024), funded by the EU under SWITCH-Asia, aims to reduce marine litter in the Lakshadweep Sea by addressing plastic waste from tourism industries in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and India.

Lakshadweep Zero- Waste Alliance (LOWA)

Created as part of the PROMISE project Lakshadweep zero waste alliance (LOWA) is registered as an NGO in Maldives.

South Asian Nitrogen (SANH)

The UKRI GCRF South Asian Nitrogen Hub (SANH) unites experts from over 32 institutions across South Asia and the UK to tackle nitrogen pollution, improve agricultural management, and support policy development for a healthier planet.

Our Earth, Our Futures Project

This collaborative study explores how primary-school teachers in the Maldives and England can deliver transformative Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship (ESDGC), enhancing children’s knowledge, skills, and values for a more sustainable and compassionate world.

UN4DRR project

University Network for Disaster Risk Reduction in Indian Ocean RIm (UN4DRR) project aims to modernize the academic programs related to Disaster Risk Reduction and Management integrating GIS/RS applications as the significant part of the course content. The long-term effect will be to educate future experts for management of natural and human-induced disasters in the Indian Ocean Rim supporting national and EU policies.

CHILDRN project

The ERASMUS CHILDRN project strengthens collaboration between ULiège, Université Paris Cité, Heidelberg University, and MNU through curriculum innovation, research, and mobility—launching the Maldives’ first BSc in Climate Change, an online course on Climate and Health in SIDS, and international events that build lasting scientific cooperation and capacity.

RECOVER project

MNU is a partner in the RECOVER Project — Resilience to Climate Vulnerability and Environmental Risk — funded by CLARE and led by the University of Waterloo, Canada. The project promotes climate change adaptation through a multi-risk, multi-sector approach, with pilot initiatives in the Maldives, Mauritius, and Fiji to co-develop scalable climate resilience solutions. Partner institutions include The Maldives National University, University of Mauritius, and University of Fiji.

Ilmee Foavahi – Advancing Academic Dialogue

Lunch Time talk

International conferences

ESCAP Risk and Resilience portal

MNU Research Grants