12 November 2010: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has announced it is collaborating with GTZ and the Government of the Maldives to assist the country in becoming carbon neutral by 2020.

Assistance will be provided to the Maldives through the implementation of a pilot air-conditioning project, with zero ozone depleting and low global warming potential (GWP). Under the initiative, GTZ will fund the demonstration project and UNEP will provide policy and technical assistance.

The Government of the Maldives recently announced its Carbon-Neutral Government Program, under which 11 government offices will be made carbon-neutral in an effort towards achieving the country’s Carbon-Neutral Pledge. The collaboration with UNEP and GTZ are intended to contribute to this. UNEP aims to replicate the cooperation model in other countries. [UNEP OzonAction Newsletter]