LocationsThis collaboration aims to develop, customize, and implement a Digital Transparency System (DTS) for tracking Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
UNDP Supports Seychelles to Digitalize its Climate Action Transparency System
September 2, 2024
This endeavor exemplifies Seychelles' dedication to climate transparency and accountability, establishing a model within the global climate community.
UNDP Mauritius & Seychelles
August 28, 2024 – Seychelles, in a significant leap towards transparency in climate action, announces the inception of a pioneering initiative to digitalize the national climate transparency system for monitoring and reporting the country’s progress toward its climate goals.
Through the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment (MACCE), the Government of Seychelles sought support from the UNDP transparency Helpdesk, an established support mechanism funded by the Government of Belgium and channelled through UNDP to enhance countries’ Measurement Reporting and Verification (MRV) and Transparency Systems.
Seychelles’ commitment to the Paris Agreement
As part of the country's commitments under the Paris Agreement, Seychelles is required to submit progress reports on how the country is implementing mitigation and adaptation measures, reduce and inventory its GHG emissions reductions according to the targets set in their national climate pledges, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
These progress reports, officially known as Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), are due by December 2024. Many countries are currently working to intensify data collection, monitoring efforts, and building the digital infrastructure to provide a clear update on where they stand.
This collaboration aims to develop, customize, and implement a Digital Transparency System (DTS) for tracking Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), leveraging the open-source transparency system codebase provided by UNDP.
The scoping process.
The digital transformation journey was kicked off in March this year with a scoping workshop and training activities with UNDP’s international expertise, designed to empower national experts with the necessary skills for the upcoming Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) and to examine the institutional and information mechanisms integral to the climate change-related reporting process.
This scoping initiative was essential in establishing a solid foundation for the configuration and customization of the national DTS, so that Seychelles can ensure the system meets the Paris Agreement requirements for BTR reporting and accommodates the Seychelles' unique national circumstances.
Having reliable, up-to-date data made possible by digital systems is a key component of transparent reporting and the basis for designing better policies and strategies to reduce emissions in all sectors and adapt societies to the impacts of climate change.
Towards a successful digital climate transparency system.
A robust Digital Transparency System also requires countries to set up data governance, develop and implement MRV methodologies and tools, update, implement, and integrate new data and information flows periodically. Government officials are eager to pave the way for the successful digitalization of the climate transparency system by instituting a dedicated task force, which will diligently provide support and engage stakeholders from key sectors.
Principal Secretary Tony Imaduwa shared his enthusiasm, stating, ‘‘Indeed, as a small island state, building our institutional and technical capacities is a must. The DTS system has incredible potential to bring about a transformative shift in our abilities to collect, monitor and report on the progress towards the ambitions Seychelles has set under the Paris Agreement’’.
This endeavor exemplifies Seychelles' dedication to climate transparency and accountability, establishing a model within the global climate community. The open-source DTS system has been developed with support from the Government of Norway.
A Technical Working Group has been formed to oversee Seychelles’ progress towards achieving its objectives through this collaboration with UNDP. The members of the group are from of key institutions related to climate policies overseen by the Department for Climate Change within the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, and working on close collaboration with the Department for National Planning within the Ministry of Finance, Trade and National Planning.