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Who’s who

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was negotiated by an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC/FCCC) set up by the United Nations General Assembly. The INC consisted of Government representatives and is open to accredited observers. Supported by a Geneva-based secretariat, it continued to function until the treaty entered into force in 1994. Once this happened it was then be replaced by the Conference of the Parties (COP), which is the supreme body of the Convention and oversees its implementation.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides scientific and technical assessments to support the negotiations. It continues to play an advisory role during the current interim period. The Global Environment Facility (GEF), established by the UN Development Programme, the UN Environment Programme, and the World Bank, is the interim source of funding for Convention-related activities and projects, mainly in developing countries.

Signing

Seychelles signed the convention on 10th June 1992 and ratified it on 22nd August 1992. The convention entered into force on 21st March 1994.

Sea level changes, storm surges, and soil erosion are some of the major threats to the Seychelles islands’ coastal zones, the reclaimed land areas, and the low lying coral islands. Observations indicate the existence of advanced coastal erosion along several beaches especially in areas of extensive human activity. Flash floods are a common phenomenon in low lying areas which generally receive higher rainfall, sometimes ranging between 250 and 300 mm within six hours.

By becoming a Party to this Convention, Seychelles accepted a number of commitments. These include:

  • Submitting for review information on the quantities of greenhouse gases that the country emits, by source, and on the country’s national “sinks” (processes and activities that remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, notably forests and oceans). Seychelles has completed the 2nd National Communications under the UNFCCC so far.
  • Carrying out national programmes for mitigating climate change and adapting to its effects.
  • Strengthening scientific and technical research and systematic observation related to the climate system, and promoting the development and diffusion of relevant technologies.
  • Promoting education programs and public awareness about climate change and its likely effects.

Developed countries accept a number of additional commitments specific only to them. Some of the most important ones are:

  • Adopting policies designed to limit their greenhouse gas emissions and to protect and enhance their greenhouse gas “sinks” and “reservoirs”. They will seek to return to their 1990 emissions levels by the end of this decade and will submit detailed information on their progress.The Conference of the Parties will review the overall implementation and adequacy of this commitment at least twice during the 1990s.
  • Transferring to developing countries financial and technological resources above and beyond what is already available through existing development assistance, and supporting efforts by these countries to fulfil their commitments under the Convention.
  • Helping developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change to meet the costs of adaptation.

Website to Seychelles UNFCCC National Website: http://unfccc.int/resource/ccsites/seychell/index.htm

Link to the countries and status of submissions of their national communications:

http://unfccc.int/national_reports/non-annex_i_natcom/items/2979.php