Seychelles test-case for the Issue-Based Module on Climate Change and Biodiversity
Seychelles is a pilot country for the TEMATEA Issue Based Modules for Coherent Implementation of Biodiversity Conventions since March 2005, and was the first African country to test the issue-based modules at the national level. Based on the TEMATEA module on Biodiversity and Climate Change, a study was undertaken by the Department of Environment in February 2007 to analyse all national legislation, programmes, policies, projects etc. relating to Climate Change and Biodiversity in the country and compare this analysis to what is required from Seychelles through the various Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) that have been ratified.
The results of this study were discussed during a final workshop, attended by a wide array of stakeholders from the ‘Environment Management Plan of Seychelles’ (EMPS 2000-2010) which is the main multi-stakeholder forum on environmental management in the Seychelles comprising of government officials, NGOs, and the private sector.
Results of the workshop
The workshop participants agreed that TEMATEA provides useful tools for national implementation and suggested that their practical application would be further tested when developing strategic national documents under the Rio conventions.
- National experts (both government and NGOs) are encouraged to use the inventory of existing national implementation as prepared for the Workshop. This inventory facilitates follow-up of ongoing activities as well as improved understanding of how the individual work is connected to that others, and as such encourages cooperation on related activities.
- It was proposed that the practical application of TEMATEA at the national level should be tested through the development of the ‘National Action Plan’ (NAP) under the Convention to Combat Desertification. Assistance and funding may be available for this task from the “Global Mechanism” of the UNCCD.
- It was recommended to establish an MEA working group, composed of 5 National Focal Points and 5 experts (NGOs and/or civil society) to ensure an integrated and participatory approach towards the development of the CCD NAP based on the use of the TEMATEA issue-based modules.
- Furthermore, it was also suggested to evaluate how the issue-based modules can support a more effective institutional mechanism.
- Full workshop report
- Discussion document
- Inventory of MEA implementation in Seychelles based on the Issue-Based Module