Maldives plans to become first carbon-neutral nation
The Maldives, which is threatened by rising sea level as a result of global warming, is planning to become the world's first carbon-neutral country. The President of the Island country, Mohammed Nasheed, will reveal details of a plan to achieve full carbon neutrality within ten years on Sunday, the Independent reported. Maldives will join a small group of nations racing to be first, in what environmentalists have described as "the Carbon World Cup." Other countries planning to become carbon neutral are Costa Rica, Iceland, Norway, New Zealand and Monaco. The five nations have signed up to a UN-backed plan to become zero net emitters, but none intend to achieve carbon neutrality as quickly as the Maldives. Local environmentalists welcomed the plan, which requires individual resorts to use solar panels to generate electricity, and sea water for air-conditioning.