Integrated, Sustainable and Low Emissions Transport in the Maldives To mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, promote energy security, and improve air quality through integrated, sustainable low-emissions transport systems in the Maldives Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency. The widespread use of low carbon vehicles for public transportation is expected to help achieve various benefits including reduction of noise pollution, reduced traffic and parking congestion. The transformation to sustainable low-emission transportation system will result in public infrastructure and service cost savings, consumer savings and affordability – particularly savings targeting lower-income households. Increased safety and security, and improved mobility options for non-drivers too are expected benefits. Improved reliability of travel times for public transport? will also contribute substantially to the attractiveness of living and the ease of doing business in urban areas.  The utilization of renewable energy such as solar for charging infrastructure of the EVs will increase the demand for solar power generation in the country. Moreover, use of indigenous renewable energy resources in EV charging and overall reduction in consumption of imported fossil fuel in the transport sector will lead to improved energy security. The highly subsidized fossil fuel prices present a major burden on public budgets.  Further, improved air quality monitoring and forecasting will lead to emissions reduction from pollution sources, arising from improved policies and enforcement of standards and regulations. Finally, health and other socio-economic benefits of improved air quality are anticipated to result from the project.  COVID Response BenefitsWhile during COVID-19 vehicles sales have plummeted, electric vehicles sales have been relatively less affected. The IEA estimated that global car sales between January and April in 2020 dropped by about one-third from the same period in 2019, with around 9 million fewer cars sold. The IEA expects however that electric cars are likely to have a much better 2020 performance than the rest of the auto industry. Similarly, analysts from Bloomberg New Energy Finance have estimated that the electric segment of car sales will continue to outperform in terms of growth the traditional cars one as we move past the crisis, even though oil prices at a historic low will create some negative headwinds. However, orders of buses are likely to suffer delays if public perception of mass transit as being unsafe will persist.Furthermore, in terms of green recovery, clean mobility is expected to play a key role in getting the global economy back on track. Continued social distancing measures may have an impact on how transportation services are used, and in particular public transportation, but certain modes of public transport are expected to grow, in particular in low and middle-income countries. These modes include 2&amp;3 wheeler taxis, or usual taxis and ride-hailing providers using passenger cars, to reduce close contact with higher numbers of riders. For many of these modes good electric alternatives are availablePresident Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, with the support of his Cabinet of Ministers, established the national taskforce on Resilience and Recovery to address the short to medium term challenges posed by these socio-economic impacts. This national level mechanism allows for multiagency and multi sectoral coordination to address the most pressing issues facing the country at this time. A policy priority list for the next two years was developed, called “The National Resilience and Recovery (NRR) Plan 2020-2022”. The policies selected for this list will be given a special priority for national implementation and budgeting. The NRR Plan includes prioritizing low emission and sustainable transport systems, aligning the GEF project with the national COVID recovery plans for the next few years. As can be seen decongestion of traffic in Male and public transport is a key focus area of recovery.The plans takes into account the reported correlation between air quality and COVID-19, whereby COVID-19 incidence and mortality are significantly higher in areas that have high levels of local air pollution. This includes particulate matters (e.g. PM2.5, PM10) as well as N2O from both mobile (e.g. trucks and cars) and stationary (e.g. coal power stations) emission sources. Since electric mobility has the potential to significantly contribute to improved urban air quality, we assume that it will play an important role in countries’ strategies to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, a shift to electric mobility will significantly reduce the dependency of countries to import petroleum petrol fuels. It therefore increases resilience against restrictions or price spikes resulting from international crisis.The NRR Plan 2020-2022 includes:Plans on Male’ traffic decongestion:• Develop a proper plan and business model to roll out the mini bus project in Male’ • Identify and implement loading and unloading areas in major roads to ease congestion in Male’• Develop at least 2 parking buildings in Male’ with top floors to be used for community gardening• Develop a national master plan for land transport• Strengthen ease of services of Transport Authority and improve regulatory framework• Review and amend laws and regulations governing the sector with a view to facilitate growth of the sectorMaximize solar power in energy generation and improve energy efficiency:• Successful roll-out of key renewable energy projects • Pursue new projects for solar energy generation under Power Purchase model to Identify the scope and locations, and ensure requirements of investors are facilitated to make investments under the PPA model• Implement energy efficiency labelling programme for selected electrical appliances imported and used in the countryEnsuring energy security for Male’ region:• Complete Male’- Hulhumale Interconnection Project by early 2021• Identify medium-term energy demand for Greater Male’ Region and implement projects to increase the generation capacity to meet the demand• Scope of projects and location of projects to be finalized and work to commence on securing investments, and financing for the projectsContinuous efforts are being undertaken to increase adaptation and mitigation actions and opportunities especially for SIDS, and to undertake low emission development. The current administration intends to increase the country’s share of renewable energy to 70% of the peak load by 2030. This government plans to achieve it through policy interventions and as part of achieving energy policy goals and targets to provide clean energy across the country. For the Maldives, climate change risks are existential threats, and the pandemic is constraining the fiscal space and the ability of the government to effectively address this dual crisis. While the impact from COVID-19 is temporary, the impact from climate change on the people and the country’s natural resources is permanent, and on the rise. Unless an alternative development model is pursued, the loss from the COVID-19 pandemic will be made permanent by climate change.