Local ocean, global currents: climate governance and the postcolonial legacy of seychelles’ blue economy

Johnson, Hope 2026. Local ocean, global currents: climate governance and the postcolonial legacy of seychelles’ blue economy. Seychelles Reserach Journal 8 (1) , pp. 89-108.

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Abstract

In recent years, Seychelles has emerged as a prominent advocate of the blue economy and climate action on the global stage. However, the policy frameworks that shape this leadership are deeply influenced by the country’s postcolonial governance structures. This paper critically examines how colonial legacies continue to inform the development and discourse of Seychelles’ climate policy, particularly in relation to the blue economy. This discourse explores how climate initiatives are framed within narratives of economic modernization, sustainability, and global responsibility. It asks whose voices are amplified or marginalized in the construction of national policy, and the extent to which community-led perspectives influence official climate governance. By tracing the discursive framework of the blue economy within a postcolonial context, it highlights the contention that global environmental goals can sometimes reproduce historical inequities, even as they promote sustainability. The findings underscore the importance of critically engaging with both the content and context of climate policy in small island states. Ultimately, the paper argues for more inclusive and reflexive governance models that centre local knowledge and experience in climate adaptation planning.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Schools:	Schools > Cardiff Law & Politics
ISSN:	1659-7435
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	27 January 2026
Date of Acceptance:	1 January 2026
Last Modified:	29 Jan 2026 09:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/184237

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