5givrapd_policy_brief_lessons_from_seychelles_coastal_planning_and_micro-finance-36209b195358aa6c.pdf

This policy brief from the GIVRAPD project examines climate change vulnerability in Seychelles, focusing on the intersection of integrated coastal planning and micro-finance. It details coastal vulnerability assessments on Mahe and La Digue, the role of participatory planning in overcoming adaptation barriers, and the potential for micro-insurance to support resource-dependent communities facing increasing weather-related disasters.

• Seychelles is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its geography and exposure to hazards such as storms, flooding, and landslides. Projections indicate an increase in annual sea level rise, which may hinder the recovery of coral reefs, and a shift toward drier dry seasons and wetter wet seasons, threatening water security, food production, and tourism.
• Coastal vulnerability assessments on La Digue and Mahe reveal significant risks. On La Digue, sea level rise models suggest most buildings and key transportation and communication infrastructure will be permanently inundated. On Mahe, the eastern beaches of Petite and Grande Anse are expected to face increased erosion and flooding as deeper waters allow for higher wave action.
• Current coastal protection measures in some areas are failing or causing further issues. On La Digue, rock revetments and breakwaters are not successfully protecting settlements and infrastructure. In Anse Caiman, the use of hard engineering infrastructure has led to backshore erosion.
• To address coastal vulnerability, the document recommends a mix of interventions: beach reclamation, soft measures like mangrove planting and wetland restoration, relocation to accommodate natural storm water processes, and community-led ecological stewardship.
• Participatory workshops identified that while some adaptation barriers can be solved with existing resources—such as using citizen science and national research units to fill data gaps—others are deeply rooted in historical sectoral approaches and development planning and will require more time and institutional change.
• Climate-related disasters have caused significant financial losses in Seychelles, including approximately USD $30 million from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and USD $10 million from the January 2013 hurricane. While insurance is used for health and property, it has not been widely applied as an adaptation strategy for coastal resource sectors.
• Research on coping mechanisms shows that Seychelles and Mauritius rely heavily on personal bank savings and assets for disaster relief. Approximately one third of the surveyed population is at risk, with the most vulnerable being those in retail and natural resource sectors (tourism, fisheries, and agriculture).

APA

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (n.d.). 5givrapd_policy_brief_lessons_from_seychelles_coastal_planning_and_micro-finance-36209b195358aa6c.pdf. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/5GIVRAPD_Policy_Brief_Lessons_from_Seychelles_Coastal_Planning_and_Micro-finance.pdf

Chicago

Climate and Development Knowledge Network. 5givrapd_policy_brief_lessons_from_seychelles_coastal_planning_and_micro-finance-36209b195358aa6c.pdf. n.d. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/5GIVRAPD_Policy_Brief_Lessons_from_Seychelles_Coastal_Planning_and_Micro-finance.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |title=5givrapd_policy_brief_lessons_from_seychelles_coastal_planning_and_micro-finance-36209b195358aa6c.pdf |url=http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/5GIVRAPD_Policy_Brief_Lessons_from_Seychelles_Coastal_Planning_and_Micro-finance.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateanddevelopmentknowledgenetworknd5givrapdpolicybrieflessonsfromseychellescoastalplanningandmicrofinance36209b195358aa6cpdf, author = {{Climate and Development Knowledge Network}}, title = {{5givrapd\_policy\_brief\_lessons\_from\_seychelles\_coastal\_planning\_and\_micro-finance-36209b195358aa6c.pdf}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, url = {http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/5GIVRAPD_Policy_Brief_Lessons_from_Seychelles_Coastal_Planning_and_Micro-finance.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }