Goal 3: Energy and environment for sustainable development

Service lines

3.1 Frameworks and strategies for sustainable development

Introduction

Sound environmental management and access to energy are essential components in any sustainable development strategy. This is especially the case in Pacific Island Countries (PICs) where the population relies heavily on natural resources for their livelihoods.

Environment & Energy - UNDP Samoa

The Environment and Energy Unit of UNDP Samoa is based in Apia and is responsible for all energy, environment and UNDP-GEF funded programmes in Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau.

In addition, the Environment and Energy Section is also responsible for a number of Pacific regional environment and sustainable energy programmes in partnership with the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC), and the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).

In line with UNDP's overall goal of enabling sustainable human development, the UNDP Environment & Energy Unit assists countries by facilitating access to funding opportunities from the UNDP, Global Environment Facility (GEF), bilateral and multilateral donors for environmental and natural resource management projects including sustainable energy.

The unit has secured funding and positioned carefully designed projects and programmes in each country, with particular emphasis on:
· Biodiversity
· Climate Change
· Persistent Organic Pollutants
· International Waters
· Sustainable Energy
· World Summit on Sustainable Development 2002
· Capacity Building
· GEF related activities

All the current and proposed environment projects are directly linked to the UNDP's Environment and Energy Practice Area and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, which underpin both national Government's and UNDP's goals for sustainable development and environmental management and conservation.

As much as possible, UNDP Samoa encourages the use of the National Execution (NEX) modality, where relevant governmental institutions undertake both programme management and implementation. This ensures a sense of ownership contributing to building the confidence of national governments to advocate convincingly for their own needs and to be able to sustain the pace of change and development. Our partnership with governments focuses on a commitment to sustainable human development through poverty reduction and global environmental protection and conservation.

Thus, through these partnerships and synergies, UNDP Samoa aims to help countries strengthen their capacity to address these challenges by seeking out and sharing best practices, providing innovative policy advice and linking partners through various projects that help poor people build sustainable livelihoods.

UNDP Samoa has recently joined as part of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP). The GEF SGP was established in 1992 and is implemented by UNDP. It provides financial and technical support to projects in developing countries that conserve and restore the natural world while enhancing well-being and livelihoods. SGP demonstrates that community action can maintain the fine balance between human needs and environmental imperatives. Samoa is one of the newest countries to participate in the SGP and UNDP Samoa will administer, this important programme, which targets local non-government organizations and community-based organizations.

UNDP Samoa hopes to ensure that the energy and resources for current and future generations are safeguarded and respected.