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MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT

Government of Samoa

NATIONAL POLICY OF COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE 2007

POLICY STATEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE 2007

Title of policy

National policy on combating climate change

Purpose of policy

This policy outlines Samoa's response to climate change as identified in the 1993 National Environment and Development Management Strategies (NEMS). It provides a national framework to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to its impacts in an effective and sustainable manner.

Previous references

National concerns over climate change as result of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the atmosphere were first raised in the 1991 Rio Assessment Report; the 1993 State of the Environment Report; and the NEMS. Samoa is party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (ratified in 1994) and the Kyoto Protocol (ratified in 2002) and submitted its first National Communication Report in 1999.

Other references to climate change included the Strategy for the Development of Samoa (SDS) 2000-2001, 2002-2004 and 2005-2007; the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development Assessment Report; and the 2003 Barbados Programme of Action Assessment Report; and the 2005 National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA).

These reports are available from the Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment (MNRE). Requesting agency MNRE Implementing agency MNRE Other stakeholders relevant to policy implementation Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries Ministry of Health Ministry of Works, Transport & Infrastructure Office of the Attorney General Ministry of Women, Community & Social Development Ministry for Revenue Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Labour Ministry of Education, Sports & Culture Samoa Water Authority Electric Power Corporation National University of Samoa Samoa Airport Authority Red Cross Society Inc Chamber of Commerce Samoa Umbrella for Non-Governmental Organisations

Background to the formulation of the policy proposal

As a small island developing state Samoa is particularly vulnerable to the effects of changing climatic conditions. By ratifying the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol, Samoa was able to engage more directly in international efforts aimed at dealing with climate change. Some of the provisions of the protocol include promoting sustainable forms of agriculture, exploring alternative forms of energy and GHG emissions. Samoa is obliged under these agreements to fulfil certain national (including reform of local environment legislation and adaptation measures) and international responsibilities relating to the management of climate change. At the local level, efforts to develop national environmental policies began with the approval of the NEMS in 1994 and amongst the twelve recommended policies contained in the document was 'Responding to Climate Change'. Since then, various projects have been initiated, including the First National Communication Report, the Capacity Building for the Development of Adaptation Measures pilot project, the NAPA and the start of the Second National Communication Report. To generate public awareness MNRE has conducted various programmes including seminars, workshops, community consultations and the annual National climate change awareness days. In recent years, there has been growing public awareness of the impacts of climate change in communities particularly in relation to coastal erosion and sea level rise. Detailed statement of the policy Goal Enhance Samoa's response to the impacts of climate change in support of national sustainable development efforts.

Objectives

To attain the above goal the following objectives have been identified:

Objectives

Strategies 1. Promote public awareness and improve stakeholder understanding of the causes and effects of climate change o Determine the public's level of understanding of climate change issues so awareness programmes can be better targeted o Highlight the causes and effects of climate change and the concept of GHG emissions o Explain the concepts of climate mitigation and adaptation o Conduct public awareness through educational and promotional programmes such as seminars, workshops and training courses o Continue the awareness programmes like the National climate change awareness day o Incorporate climate change issues into school curriculum o Target specific groups such as local communities, young people and students

2. Strengthen the management of climate change information o Collect and compile information databases for national planning and policy development o Determine stakeholder attitudes related to climate change adaptation and mitigation o Highlight the benefits of energy efficiency actions o Analyse climate change information and make readily available to stakeholders o Disseminate information using all means including 4 websites o Use data as the basis for management plans and policy formulation to ensure informed decision-making o Undertake research in the causes and effects of climate change and its impacts on the various sectors of the economy o Complete the Second national communication for the UNFCCC

3. Build capacity on effective national responses to climate change o Identify priority capacity needs for both climate change adaptation and mitigation o Conduct capacity building initiatives through training workshops and seminars and community consultation o Build national capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change o Build national capacity to mitigate the effects of climate change o Develop relevant capacity through the transfer of technology and skills o Carry out pilot projects to acquire necessary skills o Undertake community-based projects and conduct case studies to document the lessons learned and best practice o Enhance community resilience to the impacts of climate change o Incorporate the funding of climate change programmes into the national budget

4. Implement mitigation measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change o Work closely with relevant sectors to monitor GHG emissions o Update the national GHG inventories o Explore Samoa's involvement in carbon trading o Promote Clean Development Mechanism projects to reduce GHG emissions o Promote mitigation actions in sectors including: -Energy supply -Industry -Buildings -Transportation -Waste -Agriculture; and -Forestry o Promote energy efficiency measures in the following sectors: -Energy supply -Industry -Buildings -Transportation o Develop new hydro power plant and improve the efficiency of existing generators o Develop other sources of renewable energy such as solar, wind and ocean o Work closely with relevant stakeholders to promote the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency o Integrate climate change adaptation programmes into national development and prepare management plans for effective implementation o Promote relevant technology transfer to support adaptation activities o Implement energy efficiency initiatives in the energy supply and transportation sectors through medium-sized projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Italy respectively o Implement the Pacific regional renewable energy project coordinated by SPREP o Implement the Pacific regional sustainable transport project coordinated by SOPAC o Provide financial incentives to encourage climate change mitigation actions

5. Implement adaptation measures to protect Samoa from the impacts of climate change o Implement the NAPA through a GEF-funded mediumsized project o Promote adaptation actions in sectors including: -Water supply -Agriculture -Forestry -Fisheries -Human health -Coastal zones -Infrastructure, and -Natural ecosystems o Promote relevant technology transfer to support adaptation activities o Incorporate climate change policies and standards into national planning and environmental assessment o Implement the national coastal infrastructure management plans o Implement community-based coastal adaptation projects through small grant schemes o Implement the Pacific regional climate change adaptation project coordinated by SPREP o Use the coastal asset management plans to guide villagebased adaptation activities o Provide financial incentives to support climate change adaptation actions

6. Establish a regulatory framework to facilitate the national responses to climate change o Enact new climate change legislation to enable national adaptation and mitigation actions o Monitor compliance with national climate change policies and standards o Provide financial incentives for research and development in climate change o Formalise the Climate Change section under the Meteorology Division of MNRE, funded under its annual budget o Collaborate with international development partners to help meet Samoa's obligations under the UNFCCC and Kyoto Expected benefits from the policy initiative It is expected that when implemented this policy will contribute to the achievement of sustainable development through:  Improved public awareness and stakeholder knowledge of climate change issues, leading to more informed decision-making  More available information for environmental planning and assessment  Strengthened national capacity to respond to climate change  Targeted action on climate change mitigation  Targeted action on climate change adaptation  Enhanced international cooperation and partnerships on climate change initiatives

Relationship to the SDS

The SDS 2005-2007 highlights priority environmental concerns including the negative effects of climate change. This policy provides the linkages between climate change and sustainable development at the national level through improved planning and assessment and the effective implementation of priority adaptation initiatives. Financial implications There are no major costs involved in the short-term as the policy will be implemented by the MNRE climate change project unit. It is expected that in three years time when the current project is complete government funding is required under the annual budget to establish a new Climate Change Section of the Meteorology Division, responsible for the management of climate change programmes. Human resource implications In the short-term policy implementation will be coordinated by the three staff of the climate change project unit. In the medium- to long-term it is expected that and new and expanded Climate Change section will employ qualified staff on all aspects of climate change.

Legislative implications

New legislation is required not only for the management of the Meteorology Division generally but also the operation of climate change management in particular. Such legislation will incorporate the policies and measures to facilitate climate change programmes. As well, Samoa's ratification of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol as international law will also be formalised in national law. Relations with other agencies MNRE will work closely with the agencies listed above during policy implementation providing the forum for monitoring review and evaluation. Other agencies may be included from time to time as the as the need arises. Proposed implementation schedule The implementation of the policy will start immediately, administered by the Meteorology Division of MNRE. It is to be reviewed on an annual basis to assess the progress of implementation, with an independent evaluation to be carried out every five years. Recommendation That the Cabinet Development Committee endorses this policy for implementation.

References

Government of Samoa. (2005). Strategy for the development of Samoa 2005-2007. Ministry of Finance. Government of Samoa. (2005). National adaptation programme of action. MNRE Government of Samoa. (2003) Barbados programme of action assessment report. Department of Lands, Surveys & Environment. Government of Samoa. (2002). World summit on sustainable development assessment report. Department of Lands, Surveys & Environment. Government of Samoa. (2001). First national communication on climate change. Department of Lands, Surveys & Environment. Government of Samoa (1993). National environment and development management strategies. SPREP Government of Samoa (1991).Rio Assessment Report. Department of Lands, Surveys & Environment. Isikuki Punivalu & Associates, (2007). State of the environment report (draft). MNRE. Taule'alo, T.I. (1993). State of the environment report. SPREP. Responsible officer Tu'u'u Dr. Ieti Taule'alo Chief Executive Officer MNRE Date of submission 31 August 2007