Advancing SDG 14.1 through

Circular Solutions with Seychelles

The Towards IPOS Seychelles Rapid Response Pilot Project was launched at the request of the Seychelles Department of the Blue Economy to answer a key question:

Which materials can be recycled economically in Seychelles and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and which are unlikely to ever be cost-effectively recyclable—making them priorities for reduction or elimination, particularly to reduce marine pollution?

Using the newly developed AI tool IPOSGPT, the project delivered a ~50-page report, shaped by IPOS subject matter experts and validated through internal and external expert peer review. The report provides a robust scientific foundation for the Seychelles Government to consider circular solutions to marine pollution, supporting progress toward SDG 14.1.

This pilot served as a test case for IPOS’s Rapid Response service, demonstrating our ability to leverage IPOSGPT, a bespoke large language model, for high-quality, policy-relevant outputs. It also offered valuable lessons on best practices for AI-expert collaboration, while aligning with the organization’s core values of bridging ocean science and policy.

The case study resulted in the Seychelles Report “Advancing SDG 14.1 through Circular Solutions”, reflecting local context and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) structural challenges.

Advancing SDG 14.1 through Circular Solutions

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An IPOSGPT Knowledge Committee of experts provided oversight in the development of the tool, ensuring adherence to AI ethical protocols based on UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission AI Guidelines.

The early results of the tool were shared at Our Ocean Conference in Korea in April this year, and the final outputs were published in September 2025.

The key findings of the report comprise four strategic priorities for action including:

Build the knowledge base
Stop landfill leaks
Reduce imports of non-recyclables
Invest in circular infrastructure

Each strategic priority is broken down into two sections: practical actionable policy options for implementation and strategic financing options to support implementation.

Reflections and Next Steps

In close collaboration with the Government of Seychelles, IPOSGPT successfully generated a scientifically sound synthesis with clear policy options for consideration, strengthened by expert review.

Experience from the Seychelles pilot will be pivotal in refining the Rapid Response model, emphasizing clear workflows, engagement channels with requesting States, and expert participation. By successfully executing this project, Towards IPOS has demonstrated its role as an innovative accelerator for ocean sustainability and is now well positioned to expand its influence in supporting urgent international ocean policy questions through rigorous, demand-driven evidence. This pilot lays the foundation for a more structured, responsive, and impactful future, reaffirming IPOS’s commitment to translating knowledge into action at the local scale.

Please direct any questions regarding the Seychelles Report to our team at projects@ipos.earth

Contributors

Authors

Joi Danielson

Kelsey Archer Barnhill

Tanya Brodie Rudolph

in collaboration with

the Department of Blue Economy, Seychelles

Internal reviewers

Joi Danielson, Managing Partner, Vital Ocean

Vincent Kneefel, Chief of Impact, Vital Ocean

Dr. Kelsey Archer Barnhill, Deep Sea Coordinator, Towards IPOS

Tanya Brodie Rudolph, Co-lead, Towards IPOS

Adrien Vincent, Senior Consultant to Towards IPOS

Prof. Sheila Heymans, Executive Director, European Marine Board

Mariana Carteado Costa, Towards IPOS

External reviewers:

João Pequeno,

Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, NOVA University Lisbon

Prof. Ursula Siebert,

Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research Institute, Hanover

Mike Webster,

Indonesia Materials and Circular Economy, SYSTEMIQ Ltd

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