The Republic of Seychelles lies to the northeast of Madagascar, an archipelago of 115 islands with almost 95,000 inhabitants (2016), 3/4 of whom live on the main island of Mahé. Seychelles has the highest Gross Domestic Products (GDPs) per capita in Africa ($15,410 in 2016), but increasingly the effects of climate change are placing its economy at risk. The strong tourism sector has continued to buoy up Seychelles’ economy; the number of visitors rose by 9.8% in 2016 to reach a record high of over 300,000. Up to July 2017, visitor arrivals were up 21.2% over the same period last year. For the third quarter of 2016, the unemployment rate was 4.5%, indicative of a tight labor market in line with robust recent economic conditions.
Seychelles ratified the Paris Agreement in November 2016. The overall implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC, 2016) will be carried out by the Department Energy and Climate Change (DECC) of the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change. The NDC endorsed by the cabinet, sets a target of reducing GHG emissions by 21% in 2025 and 29% in 2030 relative to business as usual levels (BAU). The Government of Seychelles considers adaptation to climate change as a high priority to reduce the country’s vulnerability.