With the average height of his multi-island nation standing just three metres above sea level, it is easy to see why President Mohamed Nasheed has announced his government’s intention to make the Maldives the world’s first carbon neutral country. His words have however, had a knock on effect with the Russian owners of Queen K a 73 m superyacht. They have promised to balance the greenhouse gas emissions from the vessel’s engines for the duration of her cruise among the islands with the aid of a carbon offset specialist.



Yacht Carbon Offset’s Managing Director Mark Robinson commented: “For Owners, Charterers or Captains cruising in the Islands, Carbon Offsetting is the clearest possible way to show recognition of this new policy objective. The action may be equally well received in other cruising destinations that welcome best environmental practices by visiting yachts”



President Nasheed said his government’s plan is to make the Maldives the world’s first carbon neutral country within the next decade. A radical shift from fossil fuel to renewable energy production lies at the heart of the eco-plan, which he hopes will also help attract a greater number of environmentally conscious tourists.