1    Introduction

This report presents key information in preparation for the development of the first Biennial Transparency Reports (BTR) and Fourth National Communications (NC4) for Seychelles. The Paris Agreement outlines the information required for developing country parties (previously referred to as non-Annex I Parties) to be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) no less frequently than on a biennial basis in the form of Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs): a national inventory report (para. 7a), progress made in achieving the NDC (para. 7b), information related to climate change impacts and adaptation (para. 8), and information on finance, technology transfer and capacity building support needed and received (para.10). Prior to the development of first BTR, countries need to assess the local capacity to develop the BTR and the gaps and constraints to this process. 

In collaboration with Seychelles, CBIT-GSP supported the stocktaking exercise.

About Seychelles and ETF Reporting

In preparation for developing the first BTR, Seychelles’ timing falls within the development of its 1st BTR and NC4. 

Seychelles ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992 and must submit information per Article 4, paragraph 1 of the Convention (UNFCCC 1992). Seychelles has been fulfilling its reporting obligations to the UNFCCC under Article 4, paragraph 1(a), and Article 12, paragraph 1(a) of the UNFCCC (UNFCCC 1992).

Seychelles has submitted three National Communications (NCs) and one Biennial Update Report (BUR) (Government of Seychelles 2000, 2011, 2024, 2024). The country submitted the Initial National Communication (INC) in 2000, the Second National Communication (SNC) in 2011, the Third National Communication in February 2024, and the First Biennial Update Report (BUR) in February 2024 (Government of Seychelles 2000, 2011, 2024, 2024).

Objective of the Stocktake 

To address these challenges, Seychelles has recognized the need to strengthen its institutional arrangements and build the necessary capacities to effectively participate in the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) under the Paris Agreement. The sections below provide a stocktake of the current institutional arrangements and capacities in Seychelles and recommendations for improvement in preparation for ETF reporting.

The main objectives of a stocktake were to identify critical gaps/challenges in the different thematic areas and lessons learned from previous climate change enabling activities and identification of priorities, potential linkages, and synergies with other ongoing activities. 

1. To broaden ownership among various organisations and establish clarity on their roles. 
2. To analyze gaps, constraints, and challenges in the country’s climate reporting process.
3. To identify areas/sectors where reliable data and information are essential to increase confidence in the greenhouse gas inventories, mitigation and vulnerability assessments, and identification of adaptation options.
4. To develop a work plan and allocation of responsibilities in preparation for the first BTR/NC4 project documents.

5. Introduce this during the inception workshop on the BTR/NC4 process. 

   Approach for stocktake exercise. 

The approach was guided by reviewing existing documents to establish the state of play and stakeholder mapping. This was followed by stakeholder consultation guided by asking the main questions about what needs to be improved. How can it be improved (this is where stakeholder consultations are essential). For both document review and stakeholder consultations, the primary tool was the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) developed by the CBI-GSP as a checklist to identify functional capacity gaps in the different ETF reporting elements. This was followed by synthesising information and analysing the interests and influence of stakeholders in establishing their roles in the ETF and BTR development process. Hence, the approach can be summarised in the following steps.

1. Review the available documents to consider the information and requirements for BTR and NC4. The documents include NDC, BUR, and previous NC policies on climate change and regulations, such as the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and NAPA, as well as any available vulnerability assessments to identify adaptation options.
2. Stakeholder mapping established various organizations involved in ETF work (data providers, mandated institutions on regulations for ETF elements (Statistics) 
3. Consultations were guided by questions directed to the relevant key stakeholders (sectors). consultation meetings 4 based on the sector categories) and state their roles.
4. The roles and responsibilities were guided by questions based on the requirements for institutional arrangements, interests, and influence in reporting mandates and the ETF.