COP21- Where did Seychelles stand?by | 05-01-2016 06:33 |
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 This article was a long time coming. I apologise for the huge delay, but here it is. The United nations conference on climate change (COP21) is the highlight of 2015. After the year long build up, one hundred and ninety sis countries gathers at Le Bourget Paris to decide on the fate of the world. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) stood under one common umbrella, which was the Association of Small Island states (AOSIS) and of all the countries, we had the most to lose. Seychelles stood with all other small islands who were at the front lines of climate change. We want one point five. Islands have a unique and vulnerable biodiversity and If global temperatures rise to two degrees celcius it would cause unrepairable damage to these islands' delicate ecosystems. El nino has already destroyed over one third of the corals in Seychelles and further warming, if allowed may mean the disappearance of these reefs. Without coral reefs not only will our tourism industry take a serious blow but so will the fishing sector. Noting the importance and fragility of the natural environment of SIDS it was imperative that the Paris agreement limited global temperature to one point five degrees as being the goal that all countries should work towards. Finance & Loss and damage Seychelles also wanted an agreement that recognised the special circumstances of SIDS. It was clear that our biodiversity was more vulnerable, as stated above, but since small islands have next to negligible green house gas emissions compared to more industrialised countries it was clear that we had not caused this situation. Although we agreed that all countries, regardless of blame should work towards a greener and cleaner future, in the matter of Finance and Loss and Damage there was a need for more Developed countries to step up. Who would pay for the damages caused by climate change, from the loss of homes to the loss of lives? These were questions that needed answers. The Paris agreement, though far from perfect may be the most significant agreement of our time. Those two weeks were without a doubt challenging as countries worked tirelessly towards a fair agreement. At times it seemed that we would go back home empty handed but an ambitious goal was finally set. Countries present greed to limit global temperatures to well below two degrees which still gives hope to SIDS. However, it is clear that this agreement is just the beginning. We have a tough road ahead and a lot of hard work is needed to fulfil all the promises made in that agreement
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