Ministry of Finance has revealed USD41 million was spent from the Green Fund in 2021.
The latest Green Fund Report published by the finance ministry shows the Green Fund received USD52 million last year, with the highest amount recorded in March with USD6 million. The report shows USD15 million was spent on 66 projects in December, making it the highest monthly expenditure in 2021.
The projects include projects to establish coastal protection, water supply, waste management, and sewerage systems in various parts of the country. The report also shows the largest contribution from December was made for environmental improvement and waste management projects, with USD647,000 spent for the Greater Male' Region.
The Green Fund contains USD54 million as of December 2021. The Green Fund was introduced in 2016 with the aim of tackling environmental issues in the Maldives as per the Tourism Act of the Maldives. As such, USD6 is charged as Green Tax per tourist for each day they spend at a resort or a hotel in the Maldives, while USD3 is charged as Green Tax per tourist for each day they stay at a guesthouse.