Seychelles joins UN climate change programme
28.05.2009
Seychelles has joined a United Nations programme to help it adapt to climate change and will receive financial aid in setting up projects in key areas.
Called Climate Change and Development – Adapting by Reducing Vulnerability (CC Dare), it had its local launch recently at a workshop at the International Conference Centre.
An international team of climate change experts led by senior economist Anne Olhoff took part and worked with around 30 local organisations to set up the programme.
The experts’ mission was mainly to give quick and flexible technical and financial support based on specific demands to 15 sub-Saharan African countries including Seychelles.
Support will also be given in removing barriers and creating opportunities to incorporate climate change adaptation into national development planning and decision-making. A total of US $150,000 will be given to each country, with a minimum of three accepted proposals in each case.
Seychelles had two weeks to submit its projects in key areas where it needs help in adapting to climate change, and in a maximum of 12 weeks will receive all the funding and technical aid to carry them out.
Wills Agricole, director-general of climate and environmental services in the Environment Department and also the local contact for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, said four key areas for projects have already been identified.
“Areas needing immediate attention are coastal zone management, agriculture, water and fisheries,” he said.
“These are the areas most affected by climate change, which we will seek to address as soon as possible.”
He added that among the main constraints are limited financial and human resources to increase the base of local experts, although this will also be included in the projects.
Future plans will aim to secure financial support for adaptation technology, develop appropriate legislation and policies, develop regional cooperation on adaptation and improve access to training.
CC Dare was officially launched in February 2008, and during its initial phase Benin, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda took part as pilot countries. The three-year programme has been made possible with a grant from the government of Denmark.