20220320-IMF-Samoa_Technical_Assistance_Report—Climate_Macroeconomic_Assessment_Program_62页_1mb

Climate Change Impacts and Fiscal Responses in Samoa (IMF CMAP Report Summary)

Key Findings

• Vulnerability: Samoa faces high exposure to natural disasters (tropical cyclones, earthquakes, droughts) which damage infrastructure and increase debt risks.
• Economic Impact: Climate disasters reduce GDP growth and widen fiscal deficits.
• Strategy Alignment: National strategies (NDC, SDS) align with climate resilience, but gaps remain in coordinated adaptation planning.
• Mitigation: Focuses on renewable energy expansion (targeting 100% RE by 2025) and energy efficiency. Reforms like fuel taxes and VAT on electricity can support emission targets.
• Adaptation: Requires better risk assessments, emergency funding mechanisms, and community-based approaches.
• Fiscal Policy: Adaptation investment is critical for long-term resilience. Grants from donors can reduce debt sustainability risks.
• Social Safety Nets: Strengthening social protection, potentially via digital IDs, is needed to support vulnerable groups affected by climate policies.

Recommendations

1. Formalize disaster risk financing strategies.
2. Introduce revenue-neutral feebates to enhance mitigation efforts.
3. Consolidate adaptation plans in the Public Sector Investment Plan (PSIP) with standardized methodologies.
4. Prioritize adaptation investments via climate-tagged budgets and explore private financing options.
5. Strengthen social protection programs using digital identity systems.
6. Enhance coordination among government entities through a National Disaster Risk Financing Strategy.
7. Ensure equity in carbon pricing reforms by redistributing revenues.

Keywords

Small Island Developing States, Climate Finance, Disaster Risk Management, Fiscal Policy, Mitigation, Adaptation.