UNDP’s Climate Promise Initiative to Sustain the Review of Seychelles’ Nationally Determined Contributions
A validation meeting for the review of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of the Republic of Seychelles was held on 13 May 2021 ahead of COP 26. This online event held in the presence of members of the Government of Seychelles, academia, project donors, and other national stakeholders, was facilitated by the UNDP under the Climate Promise Initiative, which supports climate action in 118 countries worldwide.
Regarded as a net carbon sink, Seychelles remains extremely vulnerable to Climate Change and needs to uphold its best practice towards sustainability. The Seychelles Government considers Ocean Conservation as a key priority in addressing the climate crisis and has committed to adjusting its ambitions in a realistic way, through a blue NDC with emphasis on Blue Carbon and nature-based solutions. Adaptation and mitigation measures in sectors such as tourism, health, energy, transportation, and waste management have been also considered to enhance the country’s NDCs and curb its Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.
The Minister of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment of the Republic of Seychelles, H.E. Flavien Joubert said that Seychelles is thriving to ensure that “the revised and updated NDCs are actionable and achievable by developing a detailed implementation monitoring plan and financing strategies aligning to our long-term efforts.” Observing that positive trends have emerged towards net-zero within SIDS, the minister declared that the NDCs review will be “another important milestone that will demonstrate Seychelles’ commitment to climate action and willingness to work with the global community.”
Seychelles’ partners in the NDC review process
UNDP Resident Representative for Mauritius and Seychelles, Ms. Amanda Serumaga, congratulated Seychelles for reviewing its mitigation targets from 188 to 275 kilotons of Carbon Dioxide. Mentioning the Climate Promise Initiative, Ms. Serumaga stated that the UNDP has contributed to bringing together nations and partners towards crucial climate action to build a zero-carbon, sustainable and inclusive world. Ms. Serumaga also declared that: “the UNDP remains committed to supporting the Government’s national ambitions towards climate action and ensuring that Seychelles continues to champion the way ahead for the Small Island States and the region alike.”
In an overview of the Paris Agreement, Mr. Andrew Jean Louis, lead coordinator of the NDC Partnership, presented the supporting partners of the Government of Seychelles for the review of the NDCs. In addition to the UNDP, Seychelles can count on the support of the World Bank, the European Union, IRENA, Stantec, GIZ, the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SEYCATT), The Nature Conservancy, Deltares, the University of Seychelles, and the PEW Charitable Trusts. Mr. Jean Louis also recalled that Seychelles ratified the Paris Agreement in 2015 with a realistic approach concerning the review of NDCs.
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Photo credit: (c) UNDP