Seychelles is a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) in the Indian Ocean. Seychelles, like many other SIDS is highly vulnerable to climate change, placing it at the frontline of the climate crisis. Climate impacts affecting Seychelles and other island nations include increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, increased temperatures, ocean warming, and sea level rise. For countries like Seychelles who rely heavily on tourism and fisheries, climate change results in devastating economic loss.  It is estimated that from 1970 to 2020, SIDS lost US$153 billion due to weather extremes

According to the fourth iteration of Seychelles’ National Communications, analyses of temperature patterns reveal an annual mean temperature increase of 0.9C since 1972 with the past five years being the hottest on record. Data regarding sea level rise show an increase of 0.54cm per year. Approximately 90% of Seychelles’ infrastructure is in coastal zones, resulting in critical infrastructure being vulnerable to sea-level rise and extreme weather events. Seychelles has become a champion of climate action, prioritising its efforts into adaptation as a core component of its actions. Its commitments also extend to advancing its energy targets recognising that a transition to renewables will enhance long-term resilience and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Its current energy mix is heavily dependent on fossil fuels with renewable energy only accounting for 4.92% of electricity production far from the target of 15.5% renewables by 2030.

Climate finance snapshot

As a SIDS, Seychelles has made economic progress achieving high-income status in 2015. This achievement has, however, increased the difficulty in accessing concessional financing. Seychelles requires over US$670 million to finance its NDCs, with US$331 million toward mitigation measures and US$339 million toward adaptation measures. It is estimated that Seychelles requires US$ 67million annually over the period 2020 – 2030 for NDC implementation.

The Climate Finance Resources Mobilisation Strategy 2025-2030 identifies priority investment options for different sectors including the energy sector whose investment options and projects include rooftop solar PV systems, off-grid PV systems, inter-island connectivity, as well as the floating PV project to list a few.