1

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/KHII-7WK5HD?OpenDocument&rc=5&emid=TS-2009-000209-ASM

 

Samoa: Economics of adaptation to climate change study 

Source: The World Bank Group 

Date: 30 Sep 2009 

The Economics of Adaptation to Climate Change study (EACC) will inform the international 
community's efforts to provide new and additional resources to developing countries 
through a better understanding of the global costs of adapting to climate change. It will 
also help decision makers at the national level to better cost, prioritize sequence and 
integrate robust adaptation strategies into their development plans and budgets.  

Why Samoa?  

As a small island nation, Samoa is highly vulnerable to natural disasters which have 
lasting impacts on human development and economic growth. Tropical cyclones bring with 
them dangerous storm surges and high winds often resulting in extreme flooding. These 
events not only affect human capital, in terms of water borne diseases, they also destroy 
valuable capital stock and natural resources.  

Samoans are highly dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods, as fishing and 
tourism are important sources of income, particularly for coastal populations. With climate 
change, the increased intensity and frequency of tropical cyclones coupled with a rising 
sea will have deleterious effects on the nation. The loss of beaches, inundation and 
degradation of coastal ecosystems and bleaching of corals are just some of the effects 
caused under a changing climate. Given that 70 percent of Samoa's population resides in 
low-lying coastal areas, adapting to climate change is a necessity for Samoa.  

Social Dimensions – Livelihoods and Poverty  

In Samoa, village communities are dependent on natural resources for their survival. The 
poor and most vulnerable communities rely heavily on coastal springs and rivers for water 
resources.  

Climate change is projected to increase the intensity of rainfall and the frequency of floods 
affecting the supply and quality of water. Moreover, for local communities that subsist on 
agriculture and livestock production, climate change will increase the threats of crop and 
livestock disease.  

Adapting to Climate Change  

The government of Samoa has prepared a National Adaptation Programme of Action to 
the UNFCCC. In addition, the South Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) is 
preparing an Economics of Climate Change Study for Samoa.  

 

 

 

 

2

EACC in Samoa  

The Economics of Adaptation to Climate Change study team is working with the 
government and local partners to complete an assessment of the socio-economic effects 
of climate change in Samoa.  

This focuses on sea level rise and the potential increase in the occurrence and severity of 
tropical cyclones.  

In the near-term the study will:  

- Obtain an estimate of the damage to Samoan population and economy of climate change 
related risks (in the coastal areas). This will help quantify the benefits of adaptation 
measures;  

- Identify and evaluate alternative adaptation measures applicable to Samoa, based on 
cost benefit analyses;  

- Provide the Samoan authorities and institutions with an effective tool to estimate the 
future potential damage to specific key assets and to plan future adaptation investments 
based on different risk scenarios.