Stakeholder Dynamics

Problem:

• Siloed ministries (environment, finance, tourism) cause slow decisions and disjointed policy.

• Foreign-led carbon projects lack community ownership.

• Verification bottlenecks create time lags and high fees.

Solution:

• A unified Multi-Stakeholder Blue Carbon Council (MBCC) streamlines mandates and accountability.

• Community empowerment tools (AR gamification, smart contract revenue shares) drive local engagement.

• On-chain MRV (iSAT, Planet Labs) with automated validation speeds up credit issuance.

Why It Matters:

• Positions Maldives as a digital-governance model.

• Builds a green-skilled youth economy.

• Makes micro-projects viable across all inhabited islands.

Project & Partnership Gaps

Problem:

• Focus limited to mangroves; neglects seagrass and coral.

• Debt-for-nature deals lack traceability and social returns.

• Low tourist engagement in resort pilots.

Solution:

• Use of COASTS and Blue Carbon Explorer for full-habitat mapping.

• Tokenized debt-swap instruments with embedded Zakat for social impact.

• Cowrie Crusader AR gameplay lets tourists earn real offsets by planting mangroves virtually.

Why It Matters:

• Diversified revenue streams.

• Integrates Islamic finance with climate action.

• Makes Maldives a global leader in eco-tourism innovation.

Policy & Fiscal Weaknesses

Problem:

• Delays in passing carbon regulation acts.

• Tax incentives not optimized for blue carbon.

• Vocational education poorly integrated into climate strategy.

Solution:

• Regulatory sandbox (MMA/CMDA) for blockchain-based carbon products.

• Smart tax rebates via smart contracts based on real-time MRV.

• TIVET-certified curricula for green-fintech training.

Why It Matters:

• Enables real-time fiscal policy innovation.

• Reduces youth unemployment.

• Solidifies Maldives as a digital climate sandbox hub in the region.

Transparency & Monitoring Gaps

Problem:

• Traditional audits only every 1–3 years — high fraud risk.

• Registry data remains closed and inaccessible.

• High costs prevent small restoration efforts.

Solution:

• Continuous on-chain MRV using IoT sensors, satellites, and blockchain logs.

• Open dashboards & mobile apps enable citizen tracking of projects.

• AI-powered image validation with smart contract triggers to cut costs.

Why It Matters:

• Builds public trust and attracts ethical investors.

• Enables micro-projects by schools, women’s groups, and fisher cooperatives.

Strategic Recommendations