Seychelles to get technical help in waste management |27 September 2013

The Clinton Foundation through its Clinton Climate Initiative has pledged more support to Seychelles in the form of technical assistance and training in the field of landfill and waste management.

This announcement was made by representatives of the foundation in a meeting with the Minister for Environment and Energy, Professor Rolph Payet.
 
The three-member delegation – Karen Luken, Pamela Papapetrou and Leslie Labruto – are here on a three-day working visit during which they will be meeting key stakeholders in the energy field.

Earlier this year Seychelles signed a memorandum of understanding with the Clinton Climate Initiative, which focuses on the use of waste, solar and biomass to produce electricity. Under the agreement Seychelles is receiving help to better understand the full potential for using these renewable energy for the production of electricity.

Professor Payet said that support from the Clinton Climate Change Initiative comes at an opportune time now that the Energy Act is in force and as the country is considering a number of proposals for investments in renewable energy, waste to energy projects.

He added that the partnership with the Clinton Foundation will provide Seychelles with support in achieving those goals.

In his state-of-the-nation address this year, President James Michel said: “The next major step in the diversification of our sources of energy and the consolidation of our engagement to renewable energy and sustainable development is solar energy. It is in abundance here, and we have to make greater use of it. We also have to take the necessary measures to transform waste into energy. Our long-term objective is to generate more than 25% of electricity from solar energy, biomass and waste. The agreement we’ve just signed with the Clinton Climate Initiative will contribute significantly towards this objective.”

Former American President Clinton established the William J Clinton Foundation, as it is officially called, in 2001 at the end of his second term of office. The Clinton Climate Initiative is one of the foundation's seven initiatives covering global affairs, health, poverty, sustainable economic growth and domestic issues in the US.  Its mission is to apply the foundation's business-oriented approach to fight climate change in practical, measurable and significant ways.