BHC working with Seychelles experts on carbon offsetting initiatives |20 February 2020

A souvenir photograph to mark the occasion (Photo source: BHC)

Staff from the British high commission (BHC) joined environmental experts from the non-governmental organisation TRASS and British residents on Praslin to launch a tree-planting project that could help reduce the environmental impact of long haul travel.

British high commissioner, Patrick Lynch, joined the rest of the team to plant native and endemic trees at Fond Boffay at Baie Ste Anne, Praslin, alongside TRASS chairperson Victorin Laboudallon.

Trees absorb carbon dioxide, one of the primary causes of global climate change and a by-product of burning fossil fuels, such as the jet fuel used by planes bringing tourist to Seychelles.

TRASS scientists will now analyse the amount of carbon dioxide that will be absorbed by the trees planted by the BHC team, to work out the carbon off-set potential of tree planting activities.

Speaking at the event the high commissioner said: “The British high commission team is delighted to be here on Praslin for our latest environmental engagement event. This event has two purposes: to work with local experts from TRASS to make a positive contribution to environmental protection in Seychelles; and also, importantly, to look at the potential for nature based solutions that would allow visitors to these islands to offset the carbon emissions associated with long-haul travel.

Studies suggest that nature-based solutions to climate change could provide up to 10 gigatons of mitigation by 2030: one third of what the world needs to be on track for the two degree goal set out in the Paris Agreement.

“We have more work to do, but initiatives such as this definitely have the potential to be of great mutual benefit to the UK and Seychelles as we seek to work together to address the climate crisis,” said the high commissioner.

The UK is a leader in ambitious climate action, both domestically (the first of the major economies to legislate for net zero emissions by 2050), and internationally (doubling its International Climate Finance to £11.6bn from 2021-25). This is also reflected in its ambitious plans as hosts, and co-chairs, of COP 26 in November this year, with successful outcomes from this event set as the UK’s top international priority.

The high commissioner said: “For Seychelles, emerging public attitudes to carbon emissions from air travel represents a real threat to the significant economic benefits of tourism. Seychelles is well placed to respond in a way that protects both the economy and the environment. It has the expertise and political will to address this challenge through initiatives that can provide the option for environmentally conscious travellers to neutralise the carbon impact of their holiday. This could either be through financial support to scientifically verified local initiatives; or following the lead of the British high commission team by getting out to plant trees with friendly local partners in stunning settings.”

During COP26, which will be held in the Scottish city of Glasgow in November, countries will be expected to reassess their national commitments against the agreed international goal to keep temperature rise below 2 degrees, and pursue efforts to limit to below 1.5 degrees.

“We were delighted to welcome a Seychelles government representative to join us here today and look forward to following up to see how we can work together, ahead of COP 26, to develop local innovative responses to the global climate crisis,” said the high commissioner.

Press release from British high commission