Climate change poses an existential threat to Samoa, which remains committed to the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. The country is working to strengthen its policies and measures for tracking and reporting on both mitigation and adaptation and to comply with the requirements of the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) under the Paris Agreement.

However, key barriers persist, including weak institutional arrangements, limited data management systems, and insufficient technical capacity and awareness. The CBIT project aims to address these challenges while enhancing compliance with the Enhanced Transparency Framework. The project is organized into three main components.

Component 1 – Strengthens and formalizes institutional arrangements for coordinating and monitoring NDC implementation and GHG inventory preparation. It includes developing gender-responsive mechanisms, UNFCCC reporting guidelines, and data-sharing agreements, while integrating the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) into national planning and policies.

Component 2 – Improves Samoa’s GHG inventory system and NDC tracking. It involves developing an IT-based database system, data collection, and QA/QC protocols across IPCC sectors, and tools for monitoring progress in key sectors (Energy, IPPU, AFOLU, and Waste). Training materials and workshops will support implementation.

Component 3 – Focuses on capacity building and awareness of ETF through training, workshops, and a knowledge hub. It also includes developing a long-term capacity-building strategy to ensure sustainability. The project will deliver environmental and adaptation benefits, directly supporting 70 individuals (50% women) through targeted capacity-building activities.

The Samoa CBIT project is funded by the Global Environment Facility, implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme, co-executed by the Government of Samoa through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Global Green Growth Institute.

To strengthen institutional, technical and human capacities to enable Samoa to comply with the requirements of the transparency framework under the Paris Agreement. 

The Samoa CBIT project builds upon Samoa’s existing climate change policies, national communications, biennial update reports, and adaptation and mitigation initiatives.

It addresses key gaps identified in previous reporting processes, including fragmented data systems, limited technical expertise, insufficient institutional coordination, and the need for stronger Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) arrangements.  

This CBIT project is designed to generate global environmental and adaptation benefits that would not have been realized without GEF support. The project will directly benefit 70 individuals, with 50% of them being women. These beneficiaries will receive training and participate in various capacity-building activities designed to enhance their skills and knowledge. The CBIT project has been designed to achieve expected benefits through three GEF Strategy 2020 influence models:

(i) Transforming policy and regulatory environments;

(ii) strengthening institutional capacity and decision-making processes; and

(iii) convening multi-stakeholder alliances. The project will consider gender aspects to ensure women’s perspectives are integrated into all the deliverables throughout the project cycle, particularly in decision-making processes, including capacity building exercises to support the achievement of outcomes. 

Potential barriers that the Samoa CBIT Project may face during its four years of implementation may include; shifting political landscape, gaps in data availability and quality and difficulties in coordinating across multiple institutions and stakeholders. Sustaining stakeholder engagement, managing financial and operational constraints, and integrating transparency systems into existing national frameworks may also affect implementation progress.

Additionally, technology and infrastructure limitations, staff turnover, and Samoa’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters could disrupt project activities and timelines.

Looking beyond the project implementation timeline, the evolving requirements of the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework may require continuous adaptation of reporting systems and methodologies may also impact sustainability of project outputs. Ensuring the long-term sustainability of the systems, capacities, and institutional arrangements established under the project beyond its completion will remain a key consideration. 

OUTCOME 1: Gender-responsive Institutional arrangements for the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) are formalized and strengthened to enable regular transparent reporting on NDC implementation and National GHG Inventory.

OUTCOME 2: GHG Inventory and NDC tracking systems are strengthened for effective monitoring and reporting of national GHG inventories and climate actions.

OUTCOME 3: Awareness of ETF and capabilities for complying with the ETF requirements are increased.