The Maldives joins U.N. climate initiative

MALE, Maldives, May 5 (UPI) -- The Maldives has joined a U.N. initiative promoting a global shift to low-carbon economies and societies, the United Nations said Tuesday.

The move to join the U.N. Environment Program follows President Mohamed Nasheed's announcement to make the Indian Ocean nation the world's first carbon-neutral country in 10 years by switching to renewable energy sources, the United Nations said in a news release.

The year-old U.N. initiative, Climate Neutral Network, counts countries, cities, international companies, U.N. agencies and other non-governmental organizations among its nearly 100 participants.

U.N. Environment Program Executive Director Achim Steiner said climate neutrality is a concern for all countries.

"Developing nations such as the Maldives can indeed leapfrog by embracing the low-carbon development model, which will assist in greening their economies and weathering both climatic and economic storms," Steiner said.

"When the most climate change vulnerable nations display leadership in addressing the cause of the problem which they had very little to contribute to, there is no excuse for others not to act," Steiner said.