Country

Seychelles

Explore historical and projected climate data, climate data by sector, impacts, key vulnerabilities and what adaptation measures are being taken. Explore the overview for a general context of how climate change is affecting Seychelles.

Adaptation

The Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change has recently restructured and created the new Climate Change Division which will serve as the national focal point for climate change adaptation planning and implementation of projects. The University of Seychelles has recently established the Blue Economy Research Institute which should be strengthened and fully funded and function as a hub for climate change related research. Moving towards the longer-term adaptation goal, the main actions up to and beyond 2030 are to increase resilience and reduce vulnerability of livelihoods and island life with respect to critical infrastructure, tourism, food security coastal and marine resources, water scarcity, energy security and health (NDC).

Adaptation Options for Key Sectors

  • A sustainable modern agriculture supported by new and innovative technologies across all food production supply and value chains, and by skilled and qualified human resources and integrated with the Blue Economy and Seychelles Strategic Plan 2015;
  • Integrate of early warning systems in agriculture;
  • Invest in research and innovation to strengthen Seychelles’ climate resilience.
  • Fully integrated approach to water security that addresses issues such as ecosystem health, waste management, water treatment and supply, sewage, agriculture, etc.;
  • Increase storage capacity by building a dam;
  • Improving water resource management.
  • Implement Coastal rehabilitation and protection measures in critical areas due to coastal erosion caused by SLR;
  • Build Coastal resilience;
  • Reduce vulnerability to flooding and landslide in critical areas;
  • Strengthen the early warning System and capacity building in coastal areas;
  • Greater co-management of the sector by the Ministry of Tourism and Department of Risk and Disaster Management as well as with the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change.
  • Set up a proper marine resource management institution.
  • Health sector able to respond to population increase and its additional climate-related health burden (e.g. dengue fever, leptospirosis, etc.);
  • Exploration of relevant potential science and technology innovation.

Gaps and Needs

  • Research is needed to better understand changes in cyclone patterns, ocean and air currents, and the interplay between climate change and other climate phenomena such as El Niño.
  • More research is needed to better understand the implications of a change global climate on the islands, it is critical that Seychelles take measures to better understand the threats and begin longer-term planning for adaptation.
  • Many government sectoral plans and strategies call for research and monitoring related to climate change adaptation but they lack the human and financial resources to fully undertake this task. The way forward will include innovative approaches in partnerships between the University, local agencies and overseas research institutions.
  • Seychelles is about to embark on its Third National Communication to the UNFCCC, which will eventually produce updated findings with respect to climate change trends and projected impacts.
  • The National Climate Change Strategy (2009) highlighted at the stakeholder workshop that improved gender-sensitive capacity building, research and education was needed to underpin all climate change adaptation efforts in order to make them effective and resilient.
  • A recent UNISDR noted concern about lack of clear policy on the protection of critical infrastructure in the country, such as roads, ports, government buildings, energy generation, water distribution and sewerage systems.
  • There is a need to finalize amendments to the Town and Country Planning Act, and to enforce and provide resources as well as for the new Disaster Risk Management Act. Other legislation may also need to be reviewed and amended in light of climate change adaptation needs.
  • In many cases, Seychelles lacks the technological capacity to undertake effective research on climate change modelling and risks, monitoring of climate change impacts and implementation of adaptation measures. In some cases, the knowledge may be there but the technology is prohibitively expensive.
  • There is a need to accelerate efforts to integrate climate change education into the school curriculum at all levels, including primary, secondary and professional centers and ensure that adequate attention is given to adaptation measures.
  • On a more fundamental level, there is a need for Seychelles to reinforce and enhance the quality of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education at all levels to develop a new generation more capable of climate change adaptation leadership.
  • In-service training is also needed for teachers and other professionals working in diverse sectors (government, private sector and civil society) to help them integrate climate change adaptation measures into their work.