This report covers the technical assessment of the voluntary submission of Samoa on its proposed forest reference emission level (FREL) and forest reference level (FRL) in accordance with decision 13/CP.19 and in the context of results-based payments. The FREL/FRL proposed by Samoa covers the activities reducing emissions from deforestation, reducing emissions from forest degradation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks, which are among the activities included in paragraph 70 of decision 1/CP.16.

For its submission, Samoa developed a national FREL/FRL. The FREL for the activities reducing emissions from deforestation and reducing emissions from forest degradation presented in the original submission, based on the reference period 2013–2022, corresponds to 316,245 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (t CO₂ eq) per year, including an upward adjustment. As a result of the facilitative process during the technical assessment, the FREL was modified to 278,590 t CO₂ eq for 2013–2022, including an upward adjustment. The FRL for the activity enhancement of forest carbon stocks presented in the original submission, based on the reference period 2013–2022, corresponds to –73,036 t CO₂ eq/year. As a result of the facilitative process during the technical assessment, the FRL was modified to –76,896 t CO₂ eq/year.

The assessment team notes that the data and information used by Samoa in constructing its FREL/FRL are mostly transparent, mostly complete and mostly in accordance with the guidelines contained in the annex to decision 12/CP.17. This report contains information on the assessed FREL/FRL and a few areas identified by the assessment team for future technical improvement in accordance with the provisions on the scope of the technical assessment contained in the annex to decision 13/CP.19