Samoa

Executive Summary

Samoa is a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) in the Pacific region.

Samoa is the current chair for the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS) which consists of countries from three (3) regional SIDS; Caribbean, Pacific, and African, Indian Ocean and South China Sea. Furthermore, Samoa has been at the forefront of climate advocacy through regional institutions such as the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme (SPREP). Samoa has hosted several high-level regional events such as the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) meeting in 2014. Additionally, Samoa is hosting the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2024, which further adds to the role Samoa plays in the international and regional sphere of climate change.

Samoa and the climate crisis:

• In 2019, Samoa is ranked 130th out of 180 on the global climate risk index

• Significant economic damage and loss and damage due to Cyclone Evan (category 4), destroying 3 hydro power stations. Power restoration took approximately 3 weeks

• Flooding is evident in urban areas after heavy downfall

• Drought is evidently in Samoa and monitored by Samoa meteorology office

• Earthquakes are common

NDC Highlights

The regional NDC Pacific highlights the updated NDC targets.

On mitigation:

• 30% reduction of GHG emissions in the energy sector

• 4% reduction of GHG emissions in the water sector

• 26% reduction of GHG emissions in the Agriculture, Forestry & Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector

On Adaptation:

• 5% expansion of mangrove forest

• 5% expansion of agroforestry area

• 2% increase forest cover 

On emissions reduction: The NDC emphasizes Samoa’s commitment to reducing GHG emissions, specific targets are mentioned such as the reduction of 32% below BAU level by 2030 for the energy sector.

Capacity building: There is a strong emphasis on capacity building, which indirectly benefits women and youth. By strengthening institutional and human resource capacities, climate action in Samoa will be more inclusive and effective.

Traditional knowledge: The NDC highlights the value of integrating traditional knowledge into climate action, which can bridge generations and ensure gender inclusivity in the agriculture sector.

NDC tasks complete: Raising awareness of Samoa’s NDC enhancement, regional technical support mechanisms, energy audit for the tourism sector, NDC enhancement, NDC implementation roadmap, NDC investment plan, including pipeline projects.

NDC ongoing works: Agroforestry promotion program and energy-efficiency program for tourism sector

NDC Lowlights

Lack of specific youth strategies and initiatives: Youth is mentioned for their importance and lacks concrete steps or programs to engage them

Lack of specific gender strategies and initiatives: acknowledgement briefly touches on the importance of gender in climate action, but there is no clear strategy on how gender considerations will be integrated into specific actions.

Emissions data: A broad overview of emissions targets and reductions is highlighted; however, there is a lack of detail breakdown in some sections, which will make it challenging over time. For example, while providing a clear overarching target for emissions reductions, a granular breakdown for transportation, agriculture, and waste management would provide more concrete guidance and objectives since that is where the emissions are highest in those sectors. There is still oversight on a projected business-as-usual scenario, a history of emissions factor, lack of carbon sequestration, and a methodology to frequently monitor and verify emissions reductions.

Conditional on external support: A significant portion of the NDC targets are dependent on external support and finance. This raises the uncertainty of accomplishing these targets despite Samoa non-legally binding commitments.

Vulnerability: While vulnerabilities are not a NDC target, they are mentioned frequently. For example, vulnerabilities for SIDS may include geographical, economic, and infrastructure vulnerabilities, for which the NDC does not provide any further details to overcome or improve resilience. Another example that is not highlighted is the role of vulnerable women and children (or youth).

Gender and youth: Samoa does not formally recognize youth as a key stakeholder. A meta-analysis of the NDC shows that the term “youth” is not mentioned. The term “young" is mentioned once to reference the young population statistics. The term “gender” is mentioned nine (9) times, mostly to reference gender policies. There are weak strategies and commitments for youth and gender in the NDCs.

Key recommendations on intergenerational justice

●      Formal recognition that youth are key stakeholders

●      Inclusion of youth in NDC development process

●      Stronger strategies and commitments on youth capacity building

●      Stronger strategies of traditional knowledge transfer to younger generations

●      Inclusion of climate-related education in national curriculum

Key recommendations on Gender equality

●      Stronger participation and strategies of women’s role in climate action

●      Inclusion of women from rural and coastal communities in NDC development process

●      Formal recognition that women are key stakeholders

●      Improved monitoring, evaluation and reporting of gender-specific outcomes

Key recommendations on emissions reduction

●      More ambitious adaptation targets for future NDCs

●      More frequent monitoring of GHG emissions within sectors

●      Stronger emphasis and strategies on energy-efficiency

●      Stronger emphasis on land management practices waste management

●      Inclusion of women and youth in mitigation & adaptation strategies

●      Stronger inclusion of women and youth in capacity building

●      Build capacity on GHG inventory and stocktake process

●      Stronger collaborations with civil societies