The Republic of Palau consists of eight principal islands and more that 250 smaller islands lying roughly 500 miles southeast of the Philippines, in Oceania. The total land area is 459 square kilometers and the islands of Palau constitute the westernmost part of the Caroline Islands chain. Palau's terrain varies geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babeldaob to low, coral islands fringed by large barrier reefs.Natural resources consist of forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, and deep-seabed minerals. Current environmental issues include inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste, threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing.
NDC Target
Palau's NDC targets are as follows:
• 45% renewable energy target by 2025
• 35% energy efficiency target by 2025
• 22% energy sector emissions reductions below 2005 levels by 2025 (Reference/base year is 2005, emissions were approximated at 88 thousand tCO2e)
Conditional (95.00%)
Unconditional (5.00%)
No further revisions were undertaken, and the same document was endorsed and submitted as the First Nationally Determined Contribution on 22 April 2016.
The achievement of the emission reduction target specified above will be through conditional means based on available external, adequate and predictable funding.
Target Sector
Mitigation
Palau is targeting its energy sector with a focus on electricity and transport for its mitigation goal. To achieve renewable energy targets, Palau needs considerable additional installed capacity, including the 5MW of solar already planned (two or more solar projects plus additional roof-top solar) plus an additional 10MW to power the water sector. Palau will also have to work to reduce transmission and distribution losses.
Target Year
Activity Implementation Year
Current Activity
- The Regional Pacific NDC Hub has connected Palau to the United Nations Development Programme to help with the development of the baseline for waste and transportation sector for the enhanced NDC.
- The Palau Public Utilities Corporation is finalizing its RFP to develop the first stage on meeting the renewable energy target of 45%. After the finalization of this, Palau will be able to asses whether this will meet the 20% by 2020 or the 45% by 2020 RE target.
As an island nation we are literally on the frontlines of climate change. Never before in the history of our islands and humanity have we faced a bigger and more universal threat. Climate change has negatively impacted our resources, infrastructure and livelihoods - not once, but several times in recent years. Our continuity and future existence as a people are now at the mercy of climate change. As with all other threats we have faced in the past, we choose to tackle climate change the same way - by working together.
-H.E. Mr. Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., President of the Republic of Palau 2015
Palau's NDC Journey
The Intended Nationally Determined Contribution for Palau was submitted in 2015.
The Nationally Determined Contribution for Palau was submitted in 2016.
The Enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution for Palau is expected to be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat at the end of 2020.
Contact details in-country team
Mr. Tutii Chilton
Palau Country Focal Point
Executive Director
Palau Energy Administration
P.O.Box 1471, Koror Palau PW 96940
Office: +680 488 1281
Mobile: +680 775 5433
The Regional Pacific NDC Hub is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of United Kingdom, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand.
