Maldivian Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Action in Tourism Sector: Lessons for the Sustainable Development Agenda

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this chapter is to address the issue of climate change and its effects on developing insular countries like the Maldives in order to identify adaptive mechanisms and new opportunities in the international context towards achieving sustainable development, taking into account its environmental and social incidences.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, the chapter introduces some generalities of the Republic of the Maldives and its current challenges. Next, there is a description of the economy of the islands: here the importance of its major source of income, the tourism industry, is highlighted. Then, vulnerabilities and adaptive mechanisms are explored for the particular case of tourism.

Findings

Maldivian current efforts in disaster risk management (DRM) mitigation, preparedness, response, and reconstruction stages, and the work between government, private organizations, and civil society, implemented since the 2004 tsunami; and as a response to climate change, are examples of how to apply collaborative approaches proposed by Sustainable Development Objectives, COP21 agreement, and Sendai Framework.

Research limitations/implications

It is difficult to measure the consequences of sustainable development actions by the Maldivian government, especially in the international environment.

Practical implications

The study of the Maldivian DRM strategy in the context of climate change and the lessons from the Maldives’ tourism sector development under climate action serves as a model for other international business organizations which aim to reach sustainable development standards in the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

Originality/value

This chapter evaluated important opportunities for sustainable development agenda that can be learned from DRM measures in Maldives.

Citation

Herrera-Cano (MIB), C. and Herrera-Cano, A. (2016), "Maldivian Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Action in Tourism Sector: Lessons for the Sustainable Development Agenda", Climate Change and the 2030 Corporate Agenda for Sustainable Development (Advances in Sustainability and Environmental Justice, Vol. 19), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 113-131. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2051-503020160000019006