LocationsSeychelles Moves to Ensure Next Climate Targets Are Investment-Ready
November 28, 2025
a two-day consultative and capacity-building workshop opened on Thursday 27th November 2025, where representatives from government, private sector and international organisations gathered to shape a financially viable Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0).
As countries race to keep global warming below 1.5°C, the question for Seychelles has shifted from defining what climate actions are required, to determining how those commitments can be financed realistically. This set the tone for a two-day consultative and capacity-building workshop opened yesterday, Thursday 27th November 2025, at Mahek Restaurant in Beau Vallon, where representatives from government, private sector and international organisations gathered to shape a financially viable Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0).
With global NDC submissions underway this year, the workshop placed financing at the forefront, aiming to strengthen the investment framework required to turn climate targets into real, bankable actions. The event was organised by the Department of Energy and Climate Affairs under the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Energy and Natural Resources, with financial and technical support from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its `Regional Collaboration Centre for East and Sourthen Africa (RCC EASA).
Aligning ambition with reality
Opening the workshop, the Director General for the Department of Energy & Climate Affairs, Mr Justin Prosper reminded participants that ambition alone is not enough. “The findings from the assessment of NDC 2.0 will provide a foundation to inform NDC 3.0, ensuring that our climate commitments are credible, realistic, and implementable,” he said urging stakeholders to contribute openly to discussions on strengthening the financial sustainability of the next NDC.
Ms Minky Groenewald, NDC/LT-LEDS Expert from the UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Centre for Eastern and Southern Africa, reinforced this message. She noted as Seychelles has already submitted its NDC, attention must now shift to ensuring those commitments can attract financing. “We are meeting at a critical time,” she said. “There is a strong onus on countries not only to submit their NDCs but to consider what happens after submission. Following COP30, the focus is now on ensuring that new commitments are credible and investible.”
Learning from the Past and building capacity for NDC 3.0
Day one, brought together participants from the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Blue Economy, Ministry of Local Government and Inner Islands, Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning, Trade and Investment, Land Transport Agency, Utilities Regulatory Commission, Central Bank of Seychelles, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and featured two in-depth sessions.
The morning session, led by climate finance consultant Mr Guy Pierre Morel, delivered a comprehensive review of the finance strategy and implementability of NDC 2.0. He outlined lessons learned, gaps in costing, financial mobilisation and challenges in institutional coordination. “We identified gaps to ensure that the costing for NDC 3.0 reflects the real cost of implementing projects,” he said, emphasising the importance of developing mechanisms that can verify project viability and attract both domestic and international funding.
In the afternoon, Mr Sheils Barra, built on these insights, equipping participants with practical tools for accessing and interpreting global climate finance. He explored financing platforms, data sources, and investment-planning approaches designed to help Seychelles prepare projects capable of securing long-term support.
UNDP National Climate and Environment Project Manager, Ms Wilna Accouche underscored the importance of the workshop’s timing as the drafting of NDC 3.0 is already underway. “This process equips government and partners with the resources needed to do better with NDC 3.0,” she said. “The recommendations will directly inform the financing strategy of the new commitments.”
Seychelles has begun the drafting process of its third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), having submitted its bringing together key ministries, government agencies, and development partners.