This weekend many of us heard of the sad news of the passing of Professor Hugh Sealy. It was shocking and sad. Many of us exchanged messages recalling our memories of Hugh.

Hugh has been part of the climate change arena, for as long as I can remember. We met many years ago, but it was not before I joined the Executive Board of the Clean Development Mechanism that I really got the opportunity to get to know him on a more personal basis and to discover his dedication to science, his diligence in fulfilling his responsibilities, his great sense of humor, his adamant opinion on certain positions, but most of all his good faith, his fairness and his open-mindedness whenever we had a disagreement.   

As the Special Envoy for Climate Change from Barbados, he highlighted the concerns of small island developing countries, as they address climate change. His work in Barbados, as a professor and expert has led to numerous programmes, from addressing issues related to rainwater, pesticides, and protecting the coral reefs, has led to a better life of his fellow countrymen.

During the last couple of years, in my capacity as SBSTA Chair, I had the opportunity to work directly with Hugh, as the co-facilitator of the Paris Agreement Article 6 negotiations. I still recall our late-night discussions and corridor talks in Glasgow.  His institutional knowledge, his understanding of key party positions and his facilitation led us to proudly adopt the decision in Glasgow and finalize the last parts of the Paris Agreement rulebook.   This was one of many of his contributions to the international climate change process.

I will dearly miss him, his enthusiasm and his commitment when we meet again in Bonn in a few months.

We must honor the memories of Hugh, and his contributions by delivering on what we have promised which is to make the Paris Agreement Article 6 fully operational.

Mr. Tosi Mpanu Mpanu,
Chair of the SBSTA

I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the death of Hugh Sealy. International climate action is often seen as a reflection of the abstract interests of countries but it is above all the product of the work of individual men and women, a profoundly human process. Hugh was one of those people who make a real difference, who make things happen,  as he did with determination over several years to get an agreement on the question of markets under the Paris Agreement. He will be sorely missed by many as a colleague and friend. My sincere condolences to his family.

Mr. Paul Watkinson,
Former Chair of the SBSTA

It is with a sense of loss and helplessness that I learned of the passing of Dr Hugh Sealy of Barbados. He was a giant in the international climate change process and in particular in elaborating the market and non-marketing mechanisms under the Paris Agreement. His tenacity and persistence ensured that the rules could be finalized at COP 26 last year. He will be missed, but remembered fondly.

Mr. Carlos Fuller,
Former Chair of the SBSTA