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US $6.5m project to reduce impact of climate change |22 December 2014

A US $6.5m project to address climate change adaptation in Seychelles has been launched.

The Ecosystem Based Adaptation to Climate in Seychelles (EBA) is the largest stand-alone project implemented by the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) in partnership with the government of Seychelles and the Global Environment Facility (GOS-UNDP-GEF).

Other stakeholders involved in the project include the Ministry of Environment and Energy, other ministries and government agencies, parastatals and non-governmental organisations. According to Simon Springett, UN resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative, the project seeks to reduce the vulnerability of Seychelles to climate change by focusing on two key issues – water scarcity and flooding.

It will also support the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation into national development plans.

“Seychelles has worked hard to protect its biodiversity and to maintain the scenic values that underpin the tourism industry. However, outside protected areas, unplanned and often fragmented development activities without due consideration to climate change have taken place which have led to degradation of ecosystems, and associated impacts on ecosystem services,” noted Mr Springett.

“The EBA project seeks to reverse and mitigate some of the adverse effects and to address long term sustainability as it will focus on building capacity at all levels,” the UN representative said, adding that the stewardship focus on community participation will ensure local ownership and ensure that the project will continue when the EBA funds are exhausted.

The project will cover Mahé and Praslin for now and promises an innovative approach to water management in Seychelles.

EBA will also look at building capacity from the local community to government.

“With the climate change projections in Seychelles, it is expected that we will encounter more rainfall and other issues related to it. We can say it is a historic day for us as we will be implementing a long awaited project for the safeguard of our islands,” said Alain Decommarmond, director general for climate affairs, adaptation and information in the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

He explained that the climate change projections in Seychelles show that rainfall, while increasing in overall terms, will become even more irregular, with much of the precipitation falling in sharp bursts, creating heavy flooding in the wet season, while imposing extended period of drought during the dry season.

“As the country does not have a large water storage capacity, and the topography of the islands constrains such infrastructure, water supplies are heavily dependent on rainfall. Therefore the project will reduce these vulnerabilities by spearheading eco-system based adaptation,” said Mr Decommarmond.

Mr Springett also announced that the UNDP is working to leverage additional funding from the European Union to address coastal flooding and watershed management on La Digue, which was not able to be adequately covered under this current project.

The project will be implemented in close cooperation with the Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) and will be administered by Selby Remie, who is also the project manager.

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