Republic of Nauru Updated Nationally Determined Contribution 2025-2035

1 Nauru National Sustainable Development Strategy 2019-2030. There is an enormous opportunity for transformational change in Nauru through 2035. In particular, the new Energy Road Map, the Higher Ground Initiative (HGI), and the Nauru Sustainable and Resilient Urban Development Project (NSRUDP) are three ambitious initiatives that will accelerate the transition of the country to renewable energy while enhancing the resilience of communities and the economy more broadly. Combined with the completion of the new port facility, jointly funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Nauru has the potential to become a new hub of climate-resilient and sustainable economic opportunity in the Pacific region. The Government of Nauru is committed to building genuine and durable partnerships, which will be needed to fully implement this updated NDC, particularly with regard to accessing affordable finance and capacity building. To the extent feasible, this updated NDC sets out the required means of implementation for its contributions to the global effort to address climate change. The Government of Nauru would like to acknowledge the Asian Development Bank and the Ireland Trust Fund for Building Climate Change and Disaster Resilience in Small Island Developing States for funding the development of this updated NDC. Inquiries regarding potential partnerships should be directed to the Nauru Department of Climate Change and National Resilience. II. Summary of Nauru’s Nationally Determined Contribution Contributions Conditions Status Climate Change Co-Benefits SDGs Advanced Productive Land & Coast HIGHER GROUND INITIATIVE Develop Master Land Use Plan for climate Unconditional ACHIEVED Adaptation change-resilient homes and critical  Increased resilience to sea level rise infrastructure on Topside as part of Higher  Increased resilience to extreme rainfall events Ground Initiative (2030)  Increased resilience to drought  Increased resilience to disruption of food supply Mitigation Construct pilot residential units on Topside as Conditional on SEEKING  Increased land availability for expanded deployment of solar part of a new Smart Village (2030) access to means of FUNDING energy implementation  Increased land availability for high-efficiency residential development  Reduced dependency on automobile transport  Expansion of renewable energy generation REDUCE COASTAL EROSION Conduct a technical assessment of coastal Conditional on FUNDING Adaptation erosion and develop a plan for implementing access to means of SECURED  Increased resilience of housing and critical infrastructure to hard and nature-based solutions (2030) implementation climate change impacts  Increased resilience of coastal zone ecosystems and biodiversity Fully implement the hard and nature-based Conditional on NEW solutions developed under the CARE4N access to means of Project after completion of the technical implementation assessment (2035) RESILIENT PORT FACILITY Complete construction of new climate change- Conditional on NEARING Adaptation resilient port facility (2030) access to means of COMPLETION  Increased reliability of imports, including essential food and implementation medical supplies  Increased capacity to receive heavy equipment necessary for large infrastructure improvements Mitigation  Reduced emissions associated with off-shore mooring and loading/unloading of shipping vessels Healthy & Productive People IMPROVE EDUCATION Conduct national assessment of public Conditional on ACHIEVED Adaptation education system (2030) access to means of  Increased domestic capacity to implement effective adaptation implementation actions Integrate climate change into primary school Conditional on DEVELOPING Mitigation curriculum (2030) access to means of TOR  Increased capacity to implement effective mitigation actions implementation Operationalize new national TVET program to Conditional on NEW meet the sustainable development needs of access to means of the country, including climate action (2035) implementation Build new, climate change-resilient education Conditional on NEW infrastructure under the Nauru Integrated access to means of Infrastructure Strategic Plan (NIISP) (2035) implementation PUBLIC HEALTH Conduct assessment of national public health Conditional on ACHIEVED Adaptation implications of climate change, including access to means of  Increased preparedness for tropical diseases, heat stress, resilience of public health infrastructure (2030) implementation dehydration, and other climate change-driven public health impacts Construct new diagnostic laboratory in order Conditional on NEW  Increased resilience of public health care infrastructure to improve food, water, and vector-borne access to means of disease surveillance (2035) implementation DISPOSAL OF ASBESTOS Collect, transport, and dispose of all asbestos Conditional on SEEKING Adaptation waste at a secure site off island (2030) access to means of FUNDING  Decreased risk exposure to asbestos due to flooding and other implementation extreme weather events Water Security Establish NUC water office and laboratory to Unconditional NEAR Adaptation monitor the quality of water supplied to COMPLETION  Improved water supply, storage and distribution would provide population (2030) water security in the case of prolonged droughts and other changes in precipitation patterns Undertake repairs to NUC water storage tanks Conditional on ACHIEVED  Increased resilience of domestic food supply to interruption by (2030) access to means of climate change-driven impacts implementation Mitigation Increase NUC water storage capacity (2030) Conditional on UPDATING  Greater use of groundwater supplies would reduce energy use access to means of PLAN for water desalination implementation Implement water supply components of the Conditional on INTEGRATED Water and Sanitation Master Plan (2030) access to means of INTO NSRUDP implementation Model impacts of sea level rise and salt-water Conditional on SEEKING intrusion into groundwater (2030) access to means of FUNDING implementation Assess the condition of groundwater supplies Conditional on SEEKING (2030) access to means of FUNDING implementation Install electric Reverse Osmosis Unit to NUC Unconditional NEW water desalination site (2030) Food Security Maintain ongoing agricultural technical trials Conditional on SEEKING Adaptation (2030) access to means of SUPPORT  Improve resilience by collecting data to better understanding implementation climate impacts on agriculture, fisheries and marine resources  Improve resilience by increasing domestic food production Implement Food Security Related National Conditional on SEEKING access to means of  Improve resilience by providing a legislative framework to Strategic and Action Plans (2030) SUPPORT strengthen governance of fisheries and marine resources implementation Collect and analyze data on climate change Conditional on SEEKING Mitigation impacts on fisheries and marine resources access to means of  Reduced emissions related to the import of foods from great SUPPORT implementation distances (2030) Develop milkfish farming in support of the Conditional on IMPLEMENTING development and expansion of aquaculture access to means of PROJECT (2030) implementation Energy Security Establish power grid capable of providing Conditional on ACHIEVED Adaptation stable and affordable power (2030) access to means of  Infrastructure with increased resilience to climate change implementation impacts and natural disasters  Increased economic resilience and diversification Renewable energy comprises 50% of Nauru’s Conditional on NEARLY ACHIEVED access to means of  Increased ability to invest in other sustainable development power generation (2030) and climate priorities implementation Achieve 30% energy savings (2030) Conditional on IMPLEMENTING Mitigation access to means of  Increased access to cleaner and affordable energy implementation  Reduced greenhouse gas emissions  Reduced dependency on fossil-fuel intensive technology and Renewable energy comprises 75% of Nauru’s Conditional on NEW transport power generation (2035) access to means of  Reduced risk to energy supply chain disruptions implementation Develop Electric Mobility Roadmap for Nauru Conditional on NEW (2030) access to means of implementation Reach 20% electric vehicle component of the Conditional on NEW Nauru total land transport vehicle fleet (2035) access to means of implementation Update and implement energy efficiency Conditional on NEW regulations in transport (2030) access to means of implementation Conduct assessment of substitutes to diesel Conditional on NEW and petrol for transport (2035) access to means of implementation Healthy Environment ENHANCEMENT OF WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY Improve organization and physical structure of Unconditional ACHIEVED Adaptation dumpsite cells to prevent contamination of  Increase resilience of natural ecosystems ground water supplies (2030)  Enhance water security by reducing leachate intrusion into groundwater Build new resource recovery facility for Conditional on INTEGRATED  Increase food security through production of compost for inorganic waste (2030) access to means of INTO NSRUDP agriculture implementation Mitigation Build new organic waste recovery and Conditional on INTEGRATED  Reduce methane emissions composting facility to (2030) access to means of INTO NSRUDP implementation ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION AND SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT Develop Land Use & Restoration Plan and Unconditional ACHIEVED Adaptation begin implementation (2030)  Increased resilience of sensitive ecosystems to climate change impacts Pilot soil restoration methods and SLM Conditional on ONGOING  Increased resilience of local water supply to climate change- techniques (2030) access to means of induced drought by through improved hydrological cycle and implementation ground water recharge  Increased resilience to climate change-induced interruption of Establish terrestrial protected area in Anibare Unconditional PENDING affordable food imports through expansion of agro-forestry Bay (2030) ASSESSMENT practices to increase local food production Establish and institutionalise invasive species Conditional on NEW surveillance system (2035) access to means of implementation SEWERAGE Implement sewerage components of the Conditional on INTEGRATED Adaptation Water and Sanitation Master Plan (2030) access to means of INTO NSRUDP  Improved resilience by better protection of groundwater implementation supplies Addressing household cesspits (2030) Conditional on ONGOING Mitigation access to means of  Reduced emissions from need to pump and truck sewage implementation  Reduce demand for water from electricity intensive RO plants Governance Adopt Nauru Climate Change Policy (2030) Unconditional ACHIEVED Adaptation  Improved coordination of Government Ministries in adaptation Prepare and approve the Strategic Plan for Unconditional ACHIEVED actions the Sustainable Development of Agriculture  Increased effectiveness of implementation efforts (2030) Mitigation Prepare and approve the National Coastal Unconditional FINALIZING  Improved coordination of Government Ministries in mitigation Fisheries Management Plan (2030) REGULATIONS actions  Increased effectiveness of implementation efforts Prepare and approve the National Unconditional ENHANCING Aquaculture Plan (2030) Capitalise the Nauru Climate Change and Conditional on NEW Environment Protection Fund (2035) finance Loss & Damage Conduct a long-term risk assessment on Conditional on INTEGRATED Loss & Damage climate change loss and damage in Nauru technical and INTO NEW  Increased capacity to cope with climate change impacts that (2030) financial support cannot be avoided and exceed the capacity to adapt CONTRIBUTION Develop a national loss and damage policy Conditional on NEW framework (2035) technical and financial support Assess the potential loss and damage to Conditional on NEW Government revenue from the sale of fishing technical and rights and livelihood of the Nauruan people financial support due to climate change impacts on tuna migration patterns (2035) III. National Context The Republic of Nauru is one of the smallest and most geographically isolated countries in the world. Image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility Our single, coral-capped island of 21 km2 is home to approximately 13,000 residents, over 90% of whom are indigenous Nauruan. The island itself is located in the central Pacific Ocean approximately 40 kilometers south of the Equator, and can be roughly divided into two distinct topographical areas – the low-lying coastal perimeter and the significantly higher elevation interior area (up to 65 meters above sea level) known as “Topside.” The vast majority of homes and critical infrastructure is located along the coast. As a micro-state with small landmass and population, few marketable resources, and isolation from major international markets, traditional development indicators fail to provide an accurate picture of the circumstances on the ground. Indeed, many traditional development pathways are closed to us. According to the United Nation’s Multi-Dimensional Vulnerability Index, Nauru ranks as one of the most vulnerable countries in the world, and ranks as the least prepared country in the world in terms of structural resilience.2 Land scarcity combined with a growing population has led to serious overcrowding. It is not uncommon to find multiple generations of multiple families living under one roof. Much of the housing in Nauru is low quality, while the unplanned and therefore unsustainable density strains inadequate infrastructure and puts immense pressure on resources and the local environment. Overcrowding also contributes to many pressing social issues, such as domestic violence and high truancy rates, and leaves communities extremely vulnerable to climate impacts. Nauru also faces other complex challenges, including having one of the highest rates of non- communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Pacific, such as diabetes. The National Health Strategic Plan 2010-2015 reports that NCDs account for 79% of deaths on the island, while obesity rates (over 70% for both men and women) are among the highest regionally and globally.3 Two major contributors to this NCD epidemic are the lack of greenspaces for exercise and healthy lifestyles, and the unaffordability of imported fruits and vegetables. Today, the barriers to sustainable development posed by land and resource scarcity are compounded by the impacts of climate change, which are profoundly shaping the nation's economy and the livelihoods of its people. These multifaceted challenges highlight the need for climate actions in Nauru that address the socioeconomic needs of communities, while simultaneously building resilience to climate change impacts. Energy security remains a critical concern, as the country relies extensively on imported fossil fuels for electricity and transport, the high costs of which are an impediment to economic development. SIDS like Nauru are well positioned to be among the first nations to achieve carbon neutrality with the timely provision of climate finance, technologies (Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency) and capacities, which would serve as a powerful example for other countries, while also providing enormous co-benefits like less environmental pollution and improvements to health, a boost to sustainable economic growth and the creation of green jobs. Despite our challenges, Nauru is working to leverage its strategic advantages to create new economic opportunities. Nauru’s national carrier, Nauru Airlines, already provides important connectivity within the Pacific. Funded by the GCF and the ADB, the new port facility currently under construction will further establish Nauru as a climate-resilient sub-regional transportation hub in the central Pacific, and will open opportunities for local businesses to deliver value-added services for the shipping and fishing industries. This is in addition to the many new opportunities for local workers and small businesses presented by HGI, as discussed in more detail below. Securing these emerging economic opportunities will depend in large part on Nauru’s ability to respond to climate change. Like most Pacific SIDS, Nauru is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which has the potential to negatively impact coastal infrastructure, food security, water security, public health and safety, and local terrestrial and marine ecosystems. In addition, an ambitious transition to renewable energy has the potential to significantly enhance the reliability and resilience of the energy system, as well as improve the country’s balance of trade, which is currently distorted by a high reliance on imported fossil fuels. Therefore, the Government of Nauru has integrated climate action throughout its NSDS, which along with the Republic of Nauru Framework for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction (RONAdapt), have been guiding policy documents for successive administrations.

2 Final Report of the High-Level Panel on the Development of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index.

3 National Health Strategic Plan 2010-2015. Despite the strong commitment of the Government to climate action, Nauru has struggled to secure the financial and capacity resources required for full and effective implementation of all the actions under its previous NDC. The barriers faced by SIDS to accessing climate finance are well- established, including:  Limited domestic institutional capacity,  Burdensome application and reporting requirements,  Small projects that are not eligible for many international and bilateral funds,  Low credit worthiness due to high public debt levels and unreliable revenue streams, and  Higher per capita cost of projects, which penalizes SIDS with regard to some social impact metrics. In addition, some multi-lateral development banks evaluate the creditworthiness and income classification of SIDS based on metrics that do not adequately reflect the real economic situation in the country, which presents an additional hurdle to accessing climate and sustainable development finance. Removing barriers to affordable finance, would significantly accelerate the implementation of the NSDS and RONAdapt along with this updated NDC. Bringing about transformational change to Nauru through the implementation of country-driven strategies and initiatives, including those contained in this updated NDC, is a top priority of the Government, but will require scaled up financial resources from the international community, including grant-based resources, along with technical and capacity building support. IV. Fairness, Ambition and Progress The Republic of Nauru communicates this updated NDC in order to facilitate clarity, transparency and understanding of the climate actions it intends to implement through 2035. This updated NDC is fair, ambitious, and represents a progression beyond the previous NDC submitted by the Republic of Nauru to the UNFCCC on 14 October 2021. Nauru is one of the world’s smallest republics and one of the least responsible for the impacts of climate change, with levels of CO2 equivalent emissions estimated at 0.000061 gigatons in 2014, or 0.00019% of global emissions. Coupled with its limited natural resources and domestic capacity, Nauru’s updated NDC represents a level of ambition that far exceeds its climate footprint. At the 4th International Conference on SIDS, Parties recognized that SIDS are highly vulnerable to climate change and face many barriers to sustainable development. Therefore, the report of the Conference reaffirmed that “the special case of small island developing States must continue to be recognized by the international community and must take into account these new and emerging challenges.”4 Parties further affirmed that “Small island developing States are particularly vulnerable to adverse impacts of climate change… which represent the gravest of threats to the survival and viability of their people, natural ecosystems and overall sustainable development.”5 The ambition of this updated NDC should be considered in the context of the special circumstances of SIDS, including the prioritization of adaptation and resilience. Nauru is working to integrate climate action into its efforts across all policy areas and economic sectors to achieve its sustainable development priorities. This updated NDC represents a significant enhancement from our previous NDC submitted in 2021, as it enhances ambition in terms of scale and specificity of its intended climate actions in numerous sectors, including with regard to greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector. It was prepared through extensive consultation with relevant Departments and Ministries across the Government. This updated NDC also maintains transparency of its previous NDC by specifying specific policies and measures across relevant sectors. V. Gender Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls is a key outcome of the NSDS as part of the Government’s goal to improve the overall quality of life for all Nauruans. Nauru thus remains committed to advancing gender equality and social inclusiveness through efforts to implement the Paris Agreement, the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS and the 2030 Agenda. Nauru reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of SDG 5 and to raising capacity for effective climate change action in accordance with SDG 13 and target 13(b). Gender inequality and vulnerability are recognized issues across the Pacific, where women experience inadequate political representation and participation in decision-making spaces, unequal employment access and opportunities and inadequate access to reproductive health options. Gender- based violence is also recognized as a significant issue. In Nauru, whilst gender parity has been reached in primary education (and largely in secondary education), the proportion of women in paid employment is reported in the 2011 Census as significantly lower than men at all ages and women are over-represented in typically female professions (e.g. clerical jobs). This is echoed by the large number of women (age 15-59) engaged

4 The Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States, paragraph 7.

5 The Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States, paragraph 6. in home duties as their sole economic activity (39% women vs. 12 % men from the same age group, with women typically becoming ‘homemakers’ from a young age). Gender equity and inclusion is fully integrated into Nauru’s two headline development projects, HGI and NSRUDP. The HGI consultation and design process explicitly placed the needs of women and vulnerable populations at its center, with particular attention paid to housing accessibility. The housing planned for the smart village includes a variety of options designed for individuals and families in a variety of life circumstances, including single women and those with children. The walkability and new urbanist design principles also cater to the needs of women and vulnerable communities by enhancing accessibility to public services, schools and greenspaces. The final master land use plan itself includes an entire volume dedicated to social safeguarding needs, including in the land tenure system. Likewise, the NSRUDP has gender equity considerations and safeguards integrated throughout the project planning documents, including a Gender Action Plan with headline targets to fill 40% of positions in water, waste and sewerage sectors by women, and at least 50% of the positions engaged in community outreach, education and awareness raising. The Plan further contains provisions that guarantee equal pay and timely payment of wages. Project performance against these indicators will be monitored by a gender specialist. VI. 2050 Aspirational Goal Nauru aspires to achieve a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks by 2050, on the basis of equity and in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty. This updated NDC represents a critical step on that path. But achieving this aspirational goal will be contingent on the effective mobilization of sufficient international financial, technical and capacity building support. This ambitious mitigation effort must be pursued in tandem with urgent adaptation actions, including the full implementation of HGI, NSRUDP, and other sustainable development priorities, along with major improvements to national food security, water security, and public health and safety. In addition, Nauru has a number of ambitious sectoral goals for 2050, including:  Nauru has set a conditional aspirational goal to achieve 100% renewable energy to the national grid system by 2050,  A reliable and safe supply of fossil fuels until Nauru can achieve Carbon Neutral Nation status between 2030 and 2050 as all fossil fuel-based power generation switches over into renewable energy 100%, and  New ships must achieve a 50% reduction in CO2 per tonne/km by 2050. VII. Detailed Contributions This Section VII provides further details of the contributions listed in the summary table in Section II above. The achievement/implementation of contributions marked as “conditional” will depend on the receipt of external support in the form of financial, technical, and/or capacity resources from international development partners. These detailed contributions are organized by the following eight thematic areas: 1. Productive Land & Coast 2. Healthy and Productive People 3. Water Security 4. Food Security 5. Energy Security 6. Healthy Environment 7. Good Governance 8. Loss & Damage For each of these thematic areas, specific contributions are identified and details are provided. 1. PRODUCTIVE LAND & COAST Higher Ground Initiative One of the dubious legacies of colonialism in Nauru is the phosphate mining industry. For much of the twentieth century, Nauru’s mineral wealth was expropriated by foreign mining interests, with very little of the economic benefits accruing to Nauruans. Only with its national independence in 1968 was Nauru finally able to purchase control of mining operations. However, annual production had already entered into a gradual decline. While mining operations under the state-owned enterprise RONPHOS provided a high standard of living for Nauruans up until the late 1990s, it left most of the interior of the island ragged with large limestone pinnacles, which made further development of the land impossible unless removed through a rehabilitation process that was cost prohibitive until only recently. As a consequence, the vast majority of homes and critical infrastructure in Nauru, including the airport, hospital, and major arterial road, are located along the coast only a few meters above sea level. The mined-out and higher elevation interior of ‘Topside’ was largely written off by successive governments, but the impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise, have made the restoration and development of Topside under HGI an urgent political priority for the Government. Topside development is now made possible by domestic innovations in land rehabilitation - a process, which has to date been completely funded by the Government, and enables construction on previously mined land. Once considered a “moonscape,” Topside has now become the blank canvas on which Nauru can create a more sustainable future. The HGI master land use plan is designed to restore land degraded by mining, shift urban development inland, diversify the local economy, and support ambitious, sustainable urban development. Pillars of High Ground Initiative Energy security Food security Affordable green housing Good Health & Well-being Low/zero-emissions transport Economic diversification Natural Restoration Education and training Water security Cultural restoration Land Rehabilitation Good governance The construction of a major population center and critical infrastructure on Topside will be an enormous undertaking for our small country, but it is essential for alleviating overcrowding in the short term and for building a more climate change resilient society in the medium to long term. The vision for HGI extends beyond simply constructing new homes and buildings at higher elevation, it is intended to fundamentally transform Nauru’s development trajectory. It pioneers a new model of Pacific urban development, sensitive to the specific vulnerabilities and constraints of a small island nation, while promoting inclusive economic opportunities. HGI is being implemented through a phased approach in concert with land rehabilitation efforts across Topside, and will increase the resilience of communities through proven urban design and planning strategies, including:  Efficient, climate-appropriate homes based on local building methods, and able to be built and maintained by local builders,  Mixed-use neighborhoods that increase access to services and greenspaces while reducing automobile use,  Integrated rooftop solar and battery storage to enhance energy security and economic resilience, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and enable a rapid transition to electric vehicles,  Integrated rainwater capture, greywater harvesting, and increased water storage capacity,  Land grading and greenspace placement and design to enhance drainage and improve flood control, while also improving public health outcomes and general well-being,  Restoration of natural habitats and associated ecosystem services, and  Community-based and larger-scale greenhouse agriculture to increase food affordability and nutrition, and decrease import dependency. Sustained capacity building and vocational training will be central to the success of HGI in order to make the costs of construction more affordable, the ongoing maintenance more sustainable, and to internalize a greater share of the economic benefit that such a major construction effort will deliver. A capable, up-skilled workforce will have enormous spillover benefits for all other aspects of climate action in Nauru. Implementation Status of Existing Contributions Status Contribution Develop Master Land Use Plan for climate change-resilient homes and critical COMPLETED infrastructure on Topside as part of Higher Ground Initiative (2030) SEEKING FUNDING Construct pilot residential units on Topside as part of a new Smart Village (2030) Unconditional Contribution Development of Master Land Use Plan HGI was prominently highlighted in Nauru’s 2020 NDC and remains a top priority in this updated NDC. In order to develop the HGI master land use plan, the Government of Nauru engaged top firms from the United States, New Zealand, and Australia to support a comprehensive national design and planning process for HGI, which involved extensive consultations and workshops with all relevant Departments and Ministries of Government and other key domestic stakeholders. Completed in 2023, this nearly three-year process produced a whole-island master land use plan and a detailed “smart village” site plan, which are contained in eight detailed design and planning reports:  Volume 1: Purpose + Need  Volume 2: Housing +Architecture  Volume 3: Land Planning + Resiliency  Volume 4: Land Tenure + Social Safeguarding  Volume 5: Environmental Rehabilitation + Sustainable Resource Planning  Volume 6: LP230 Landscape + Open Space Plan  Volume 7: Conceptual Engineering  Volume 8: Land Tenure Requirements to Enable LP230 + HGI. Therefore, the first of Nauru’s contributions with regards to HGI has been achieved. Conditional Contribution Construction of First Residential Units in Smart Village Completion of the HGI master land use plan and smart village site plan enables Nauru to move to the construction phase. Nauru is seeking initial funding to kick start construction of the Smart Village, which would entail:  Completion of the full engineering documentation for the Smart Village,  Construction of critical infrastructure connecting the Smart Village to existing transport network and energy systems, and  Construction on site of buildings and necessary supporting infrastructure, including 21 single family homes, five apartments as part of a mixed-use building, church, fire station, police kiosk, farmers market pavilion, as well as parks and other greenspace. The development will integrate the sustainability measures described above, which will represent a marked improvement over the alternative of poor quality pre-fab housing in terms of both climate resilience and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Nauru’s Department of Climate Change and National Resilience is currently working with partners to prepare a GCF concept note for this project. The initial build-out would represent approximately 20% of the final Smart Village and serve as an important proof of concept. The construction will proceed in parallel with public consultations on land tenure reform, which are essential for enabling the expansion of the Smart Village beyond the borders of the initial 10-hectare plot, as well as capacity building and vocational skills training initiatives, so that the Smart Village and be built and sustainably maintained by Nauruans to the greatest extent possible. Numerous aspects of the Smart Village would directly contribute to GHG emissions reductions in Nauru, including the following: Energy Security:  Installation of solar panels on rooftops and above car parks promote efficient and low emission energy production.  Light-weight building construction to reduce cooling requirements.  High-efficiency appliances- Utilization of more efficient appliance and technology. Affordable Green Housing:  Provision for passive cooling and lighting, capturing the movement of prevailing winds and increasing availability of natural lighting throughout structures, thereby reducing overall energy load demands.  Based on local designs – incorporating needs and benefits from local climate and available natural resources.  There are provisions for open landscaped parcels next to most homes – increasing green spaces within the community.  Update to renewable and sustainable utilities and infrastructure Low/Zero Carbon Transport:  Encourage walkable neighbourhoods - short pedestrian walk to most daily needs, strong network of pedestrian walks and sidewalks.  Safe streets and ample cycling tracks to encourage biking.  Installing of EV charging infrastructure. Natural Restoration:  Expansion of areas with high endemic biodiversity.  Reservation of substantial previously mined areas for reforestation with native species. Adaptation Co-Benefits Mitigation Co-Benefits  Increased resilience to sea level rise  Increased land availability for expanded deployment  Increased resilience to extreme rainfall events of solar energy  Increased resilience to drought  Increased land availability for high efficiency  Increased resilience to disruption of food supply residential development  Reduced dependency on automobile transport SDGs Advanced by Nauru’s NDC on the Higher Ground Initiative Poverty will be reduced by the greater availability of Food security will be increased by supporting urban safe, sustainable housing, as well as the creation of new agriculture and making land available for larger scale jobs and economic opportunities for local businesses. domestic food production. Water security will be increased by the incorporation of Affordable and clean energy will be increased by the water harvesting into new residential, commercial, and increased adoption of energy efficient appliances and government development, as well as a modern water other practices to reduce energy consumption and delivery and sewerage system. demand. Decent work and economic growth will be increased by Resilience of critical infrastructure will be increased new opportunities in eco-tourism, hospitality, agriculture by relocation away from low-lying coastal areas and aquaculture, and servicing of fishing and shipping vulnerable to inundation to significantly higher elevation. vessels. Sustainability of communities will be enhanced by Climate action will be enhanced by dramatically implementing sustainable building and planning practices, increasing resilience to negative climate change including energy efficiency, water harvesting, and impacts, including sea level rise, extreme weather transportation alternatives. events, and variation in precipitation. Terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity will be Durable partnerships and access to adequate means enhanced by reducing development pressure in of implementation will be required to fully achieve ecologically sensitive areas of the island. these goals. 1. PRODUCTIVE LAND & COAST Protecting Coastal Areas As in many SIDS, a substantial majority of homes and critical infrastructure in Nauru are located along the low-lying coastal perimeter of the island only a few meters above sea level, including primary access roads, the hospital, airport, government buildings, and desalinisation plant. Given this close proximity, rising mean sea-levels and increasingly severe storm surge events pose a significant risk to Nauruan communities. Rising sea levels also contribute to coastal erosion, which is clearly visible in many locations around the island and appears to be accelerating. At present, sea level-rise has impacted over one-third of households between 2005-2015. While only 1.4% of Nauru’s land area is exposed to coastal inundation events presently, this exposed land area represents over 7% of the island’s developed areas.6 Mean sea-level is projected to rise under all mitigation scenarios in Nauru, consistent with global sea-level rise trends, with an 0.18-0.22m increase likely by 2050, and up to a 0.7m increase by 2100. As mean sea-levels continue to rise in the coming decades, the magnitude of the extreme storm events and wave effects, which ride upon the mean sea-level, will increase, exposing more people, lands, and infrastructure during storm events. By 2050, the populations and buildings exposed to a 10-year coastal inundation events will likely more than double.7 Immediate investment in both hard and nature-based protections against coastal erosion and storm surge inundation is necessary to protect existing assets and to allow time for a managed migration of the most vulnerable areas to Topside in the medium to long-term. Implementation Status of Existing Contributions regarding Coastal Protection Status Contribution FUNDING Conduct technical assessment of coastal erosion and develop plan for implementing SECURED hard and nature-based solutions (2030) Conditional Contribution Conduct technical assessment and develop plan to address coastal protection The Government of Nauru recently secured funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) under the Special Climate Change Fund for the Coastal Area Resilience Enhancement for Nauru (CARE4N) Project in December 2024 in the amount of USD 2,660,600, along with USD 1,000,000 in co-financing. The proposed project will employ an integrated approach to climate change adaptation through climate proofing of coastal areas and strengthening capacity of coastal communities vulnerable to climate change impacts. The project will target the highly vulnerable coastal areas along the island’s coastline that witness sea level rise, king tides, coastal erosion, encroaching shorelines and saltwater intrusion. The project aims to build coastal resilience through coastal area protection, promoting climate resilient practices, particularly nature-based solutions and community-based disaster risk reduction, by undertaking a range of interlinked interventions, including:  Climate change impact studies, including physical impact and coastal area vulnerability assessments;  Integrated coastal management/coastal area protection planning;  Community awareness building and institutional capacity strengthening on climate change adaptation;

6 Higher Ground Initiative Report, Volume 5: Environmental Rehabilitation + Sustainable Resource Planning, pg.126, March 2024.

7 Id.  Climate proofing of physical infrastructure and natural resources in coastal areas;  Deployment of nature-based solutions, sea wall construction, community-based disaster risk reduction and multi-hazard early warning systems;  Increased outreach of climate and disaster information; and  Increased participation of women. All these planned interventions will restore 36 ha of land and ecosystems and bring 81 ha of coastal areas under improved practices benefiting 4,802 people. New Contributions regarding Coastal Protection Status Contribution Fully implement the hard and nature-based solutions developed under the CARE4N NEW Project after completion of the technical assessment (2035) Conditional Contribution Fully implement hard and nature-based solutions developed by CARE4N Project It is unlikely that the CARE4N Project will cover the full costs of implementation of all recommended hard and nature-based solutions, which would leave significant portions of the island’s low-lying coastal areas exposed to increasing climate change-related impacts. Therefore, Nauru will require significant new financial resources to enable the full implementation of the resulting coastal protection plan and this contribution will be updated accordingly upon completion of the CARE4N Project’s technical assessment. Adaptation Co-Benefits  Increased resilience of housing and critical infrastructure to climate change impacts  Increased resilience of coastal zone ecosystems and biodiversity SDGs Advanced by Nauru’s NDC to Reducing Coastal Erosion Water security will be increased by reducing salt The resilience of coastal infrastructure will be water intrusion into freshwater lenses. improved by reducing the risk of storm surge and coastal flooding. Climate action will be enhanced by significantly The protection of marine ecosystems as a mitigating the near- and medium-term impact of sea nature-based solution will augment efforts to level rise. reduce coastal erosion. The protection of terrestrial ecosystems as a Durable partnerships and access to adequate nature-based solution will augment efforts to means of implementation will be required to fully reduce coastal erosion. achieve these goals. 1. PRODUCTIVE LAND & COAST Resilient Port Facility Nauru depends almost entirely on its port for supplies of food, energy, and most other essential goods. The century-old design of the old port required vessels to moor offshore, leaving them unprotected from sea and weather conditions. Changing climatic factors make the offshore loading and unloading more hazardous and difficult. Delays and complete port shutdowns became a regular occurrence, often reaching approximately 90 days per year where operation was disrupted in part or in total. Some ships refused to serve the port entirely. Climate change threatened to exacerbate interruptions to the flow of essential goods into the country, putting Nauru’s food security, energy security, and human security at even greater risk. Implementation Status of Existing Contribution regarding Port Status Contribution NEARING COMPLETION Complete construction of the new, climate change-resilient port facility (2030) Conditional Contribution Construction of Climate Change-Resilient Port Facility Nauru secured financing from the GCF and the ADB to build a new, climate change-resilient port. The new design comprises (i) a channel through which oceangoing ships can pass between the sea and the shore, (ii) a stable wharf with a turning berth, (iii) a breakwater to shelter the wharf and the berth from waves, and (iv) port buildings, container terminal, and port security provisions complying with United Nation conventions. The project is also helping reform port governance and build the capacity of the Nauru Port Authority to ensure financial, economic, and institutional sustainability. In addition to increasing Nauru’s resilience to climate change, the new port facility will also significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Ships will spend considerably less time at sea, and the need to operate a ferry for loading and unloading will be eliminated. Over the 50 years of the port’s lifetime, estimated reductions in CO2 emissions are 535,400 tons. This will also result in large financial savings for the Government in several ways, including:  Reduction in fuel consumption,  Reduction in late penalties incurred when it is not safe to load and unload moored shipping vessels, and  Reduction in the cost of importing construction materials and equipment for modern, climate change-resilient infrastructure. These savings can then be repurposed toward the delivery of other essential services and implementation of urgent climate actions. The new port also holds the potential to become a new engine of economic growth. This significant upgrade of our critical infrastructure to international standards can catalyse the development of new, value-added industries, as well as create a stronger enabling environment for new private investment. Work was commenced on the new port on 31 January 2019, with a scheduled completion date of 30 November 2020 (670 days). The civil works were extended due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the date of submission of this updated NDC, the wharf is operational and the fuel pipeline is constructed. There remain challenges regarding the procurement of rocks for the construction of barriers, as well as dredging the harbor to the specified depth. Final completion of the project is now projected for December 2026 Adaptation Co-Benefits Mitigation Co-Benefits  Increased reliability of imports, including essential  Reduced emissions associated with off-shore food and medical supplies mooring and loading/unloading of shipping vessels  Increased capacity to receive heavy equipment necessary for large infrastructure improvements SDGs Advanced by Nauru’s NDC on the Resilient Port Facility Food security will be increased by significantly reducing Decent work and economic growth will be increased interruptions to critical food imports, as well as by by new opportunities providing value-added services to reducing the cost of healthy foods. shipping and other maritime industries. Resilience of critical infrastructure will be increased Climate action will be enhanced by reducing by upgrading the main port of entry and exit for goods so greenhouse gas emissions by enabling the efficient that it can continue operating in adverse climate loading and unloading of shipping vessels, which is a conditions. large improvement over the current offshore method. Partnership with the Green Climate Fund and the Asian Development is essential for the implementation of the new port facility. 2. HEALTHY & PRODUCTIVE PEOPLE Improving Education A well-educated and informed population is a critical component of building resilient communities and addressing the significant human capacity constraints that Nauru faces in policy areas and economic sectors requiring climate change adaptation and mitigation action. In this regard, enhancing literacy and numeracy among students is a key priority for the Government of Nauru. While the education system continues to face, challenges such as student attendance, graduation rates, and aligning the curriculum with national needs, targeted efforts are being made to address these issues. The Education Strategic Plan and Annual Operational Plans place strong emphasis on improving literacy and numeracy, through professional development on high-impact teaching strategies and implementing diagnostic assessments in the early school years to monitor student progress and planning targeted interventions to improve literacy and numeracy rates. Additionally, initiatives to strengthen positive behaviour management through the Amen Karoe program, attendance incentives and after-school programs have shown encouraging results. Continued investment in education remains essential to nurturing a skilled and informed population." Efforts to improve primary education must be complemented by technical and vocational education and training (TVET), with a clear path to quality employment, so that Nauruan workers can build the skills the nation needs to implement its most ambitious climate actions, including those contained in this updated NDC. This will not only reduce the costs of implementation and ongoing maintenance of key climate-resilient infrastructure, but also enhance domestic ownership over project planning into the future. Implementation Status of Existing Contributions in Education Status Contribution ACHIEVED Conduct national assessment of public education system (2030) DEVELOPING TOR Integrate climate change into primary school curriculum (2030) Conditional Contribution National Education Assessment The Department of Education has completed several assessments of the public education system, which identified numerous opportunities for improvement. The findings have informed the development of a new education strategy, the ‘Ijetenida’ 2023 - 2027, meaning transformation, embodying the vision and mission of the Department of Education and Training to create a resilient and sustainable future by strengthening the education system through an 'all of society' approach. The transformative approach includes re-engaging parents and communities, utilising all available resources, restoring Christian and family values, and recognising the unique potential of each student. In addition, the Department of Education is launching in 2025 a new Nauruan studies curriculum in primary schools. The curriculum includes Nauru language courses, history, geography, environment, and other topics essential for children to understand their country and their national heritage. While not their primary purpose, cultural restoration initiatives such as this are absolutely essential climate change adaptation strategy, which will improve community decision making, increase national ownership over climate change policies and projects, and preserve a language and culture that faces a real existential threat in the face of climate change. Therefore, Nauru has achieved and surpassed this contribution under education. Conditional Contribution Integration of Climate Change into Curriculum In partnership with the New Zealand Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Nauru, the Nauru Department of Climate Change and National Resilience is in the process of developing and integrating into the primary school curriculum the issue of climate change and its implications for SIDS like Nauru. The Terms of Reference for this partnership include working in partnership with local stakeholders to foster inclusive prosperity, social equity, and environmental stewardship. The goal is to integrate climate change into the national curriculum for Years 1 to 3 in order to prepare to equip young Nauruan students with knowledge and understanding about climate change and its impact on their island nation. The curriculum is developed in cooperation with the Director of Curriculum and Director of Language and other local partners to develop engaging and age- appropriate climate change concepts and new teaching and learning materials that are culturally appropriate and take into consideration Nauruan cultural and traditional techniques and practices. However, successful implementation will require additional resources to cover teacher training and materials, in addition to specialized resources to adapt lessons to the Nauruan context. These costs are not covered under the current partnership. New Contributions in Education Status Contribution Operationalize new national TVET program to meet the sustainable development NEW needs of the country, including climate action (2035) Build new, climate change-resilient education infrastructure under the Nauru NEW Integrated Infrastructure Strategic Plan (NIISP) (2035) Conditional Contribution Operationalize national TVET Program Nauru is making a concerted effort to improve TVET opportunities for its citizens, which is essential to the effective implementation of all national climate change actions. On April 8th, 2025, the newly established Department of Vocational Training and Professional Development officially commenced operations, which builds upon previous initiatives. The Department offers six international accredited programs (Construction, Engineering, Plumbing, Hospitality, Automotive & Electrotechnology) funded by AusAID through Direct Funding projects under PAD. In addition, the Department offers nine national courses (Construction, Engineering, Hospitality, Automotive, Electrotechnology, Fashion & Textiles, Joinery, IT & Polywelding) funded through the Alternative Pathway Program. The primary objective of these courses is to provide free, accessible skill training to all local individuals. As of the submission of this NDC, the Department is awaiting approval on its proposal with the ADB for a total funding of USD 10 million. The proposed initiatives include:  Building a multi-purpose centre to increase classroom capacity for theory training, in alignment with the NIISP,  Installing solar panels to reduce energy consumption and promote sustainable practices, and  Upgrading existing tools, machinery, and equipment to improve training quality, efficiency, and infrastructure safety. Conditional Contribution Build new climate change-resilient education infrastructure The NIISP includes nine (9) projects for the Department of Education, including construction of new buildings and refurbishment of existing infrastructure. The Department must ensure adequate classrooms capacity to alleviate current overcrowding and accommodations for students with disabilities. These upgrades will be essential to meeting the educational needs of a young and growing population, particularly in light of the climate change challenges ahead. Adaptation Co-Benefits Mitigation Co-Benefits  Increased domestic capacity to implement effective  Increased domestic capacity to implement effective adaptation actions GHG emissions mitigation actions  Increased domestic capacity for monitoring national climate change impacts SDGs Advanced by Nauru’s NDC on Improving Education Education is improved through the development of a curriculum that incorporates climate change in a way that is nationally relevant and prepares youth and adults to better understand and assess climate change risks and effectively implement climate action. Climate action is enhanced by building national capacity to effectively implement actions in all relevant policy areas and economic sectors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to the negative impacts of climate change, including sea level rise, extreme weather events, changes in precipitation patterns and disruption to food production and delivery systems. Nauru’s partnership with GIZ and The Pacific Community will enable the development of a science-informed educational curriculum that incorporates nationally relevant information about climate change, including the risks posed to Nauru, as well as strategies to address them. 2. HEALTHY & PRODUCTIVE PEOPLE Improving Public Health System Improving Nauru's public health system is an urgent climate change adaptation priority. The WHO describes the health challenge facing Pacific Island countries as interconnected, including a high burden of NCDs, persisting communicable diseases and growing climate change impacts, which is exacerbated by the difficulty of most Pacific islanders have accessing quality essential health services.8 The Nauru public health system suffers from inadequate care facilities, which chronically lack skilled health care professionals and equipment necessary to provide a wide range of public health and primary care services. People with more complicated health conditions must be sent abroad to Australia or India for treatment, which is very expensive and contributes to additional GHG emissions from air travel. The WHO has identified greater self-sufficiency in health care as a key priority for Nauru.9 The COVID-19 pandemic exposed even deeper vulnerabilities of the public health system, during the early phases of which the country experienced shortages of medicines, medical equipment, hospital beds, and trained medical professionals. Pre-existing risk factors, such as high rates of non- communicable diseases, likely increased the morbidity of COVID-19, while disruption in global food supply chains due to a demobilized global workforce led directly to food shortages in Nauru. While clearly different from a viral pandemic in important respects, climate change has the potential to cause similarly far reaching public health consequences for the most vulnerable countries. Climate change will undermine the maintenance of good public health in Nauru through a number of channels, including:  Changes in the incidence of vector-borne and other infectious diseases,  Increases in heat stress and dehydration, particularly in the elderly and other vulnerable individuals with underlying health risks,  Negative impacts on water quality and access, including through increased frequency and severity of floods and droughts,  Decreased access to healthy foods, particularly through global price shocks and interruptions of imports, which could increase malnutrition, and  Damage to critical health infrastructure, which is overwhelmingly located in low-lying coastal areas, extreme weather events and sea-level rise. According to the WHO, Nauru must bolster systems capacity to absorb shocks and stresses, adapt, and transform in response to intensifying health threats from climate change, epidemics and emergencies.10 Top priorities for the Department of Health in Nauru with regards to climate change currently include:  Improving surveillance infectious diseases and prevention of both communicable and non- communicable disease,  Increasing the quality, safety and security of the water supply, and  Improving and enhancing waste management and sewage treatment.

8 Pacific Islands–WHO Multi-country Cooperation Strategy 2024–2029.

9 Id.

10 Id. The Department of Public Health is seeking to establish a public health laboratory, which would enable much more rigorous and testing for infectious disease in the population and the water supply, including those food- and water-borne illnesses projected to increase with rising temperatures. Implementation Status of Existing Contributions in Public Health Status Contribution Conduct assessment of national public health implications of climate change, ACHIEVED including on resilience of public health infrastructure (2030) Conditional Contribution Conduct assessment of public health implications of climate change Nauru is a participant in the WHO’s Pacific Islands-WHO-Multi-country Cooperation Strategy 2024-2029, which is developed through a regional consultative process involving 21 Pacific Island countries. The Strategy outlines medium-term priorities for supporting and improving public health systems, with special focus on the impacts of climate change. Particular recommendations for Nauru from the Strategy that have informed the development of this updated NDC include:  Strengthen health security preparedness and response capacities to effectively detect, assess, report on and respond to health emergencies.  Increase climate resilience and environmental sustainability of health systems to protect human health from effects of climate change and environmental degradation.  Enhance multi-hazard risk assessment and early warning systems for timely prevention and preparedness.  Strengthen surveillance systems including syndromic and event-based and VPD surveillance to detect and respond early to outbreaks, and border control in alignment with the IHR (2005).11 New Contributions in Public Health Status Contribution Construct new diagnostic laboratory in order to improve food, water, and vector- NEW borne disease surveillance (2035) Conditional Contribution Construction of diagnostic laboratory Nauru is currently seeking funding and technical assistance to build a diagnostic laboratory on island, which would be the first of its kind and is essential to improving public health in the country, particularly in light of the projected increase in risk from food, water, and vector-borne illnesses due to climate change. As this contribution will require the support of development partners, it is conditional on receipt of the necessary means of implementation. Adaptation Co-Benefits  Increased preparedness for tropical diseases, heat stress, dehydration, and other climate change-driven public health impacts  Increased resilience of public health care infrastructure

11 Id. SDGs Advanced by Nauru’s NDC on Improving Public Health Good health and well-being is enhanced by improving Nauru’s preparedness to handle the public health consequences of climate change, including increased incidence of tropical disease, heat stress and barriers to maintaining a proper diet and good hydration. Climate action is enhanced by improving the resilience of Nauru’s public health infrastructure, as well as its preparedness to handle the negative impacts of climate change on public health. Nauru is partnering with the World Health Organization under its Special Initiative: Climate Change and Health in Small Island Developing States. Nauru will also seek financial support from the GCF to fully fund the assessment and implementation of its recommendations. 2. HEALTHY & PRODUCTIVE PEOPLE Disposal of Asbestos In 2014, the Government of Nauru launched an effort to remove asbestos from all buildings. At the time, estimates put the total area of building surfaces covered by asbestos at around 212,000 square meters. Most of the asbestos was in the form of asbestos-cement in roofing and building cladding, including the hospital, schools, and government buildings. All asbestos are old and in various stages of deterioration, with swab and ground testing revealing contamination at multiple testing sites. Since removal, the asbestos waste has been insecurely stored at various locations around the island, including on the ground near buildings and residences from which it was removed. Asbestos, a known carcinogen, presents an ongoing health risk for all Nauruans. Nauru does not have the facilities for proper disposal and long-term storage, and therefore, it must be collected and transported to a suitable site off-island. The negative impacts of climate change, in particular more severe precipitation events and flooding, increases the risk of disturbance and human exposure to asbestos through the air and groundwater. Therefore, asbestos removal and disposal is an urgent adaptation measure to climate change. Implementation Status of Existing Contributions regarding Asbestos Disposal Status Contribution SEEKING Collect, transport, and dispose of all asbestos waste at a secure site off-island FUNDING (2030) Conditional Contribution Disposal of Asbestos The Government was able to dispose of five containers worth of building material waste containing asbestos, relocating it to a dump site in New Zealand. This represented a small portion of the total waste still present on the island, but it has given the Government a more accurate estimate of its financial needs. The cost for the collection, transport, and long-term storage of asbestos waste at a secure site was estimated to be approximately USD 271,477.00. This would include sealing the asbestos waste in specialized bags, loading the bags into shipping containers and transporting the containers to a suitable site for storage. Given the international transport involved to move the waste to a secure site off-island, the facility would also need to be capable of addressing biosecurity and quarantine issues. Achievement of this contribution is contingent on the receipt of additional financial support the safe packaging of all asbestos waste on the island and transport to a secure dump site off island. The Government is still seeking development partners willing to help address this urgent public health risk, which is exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. Adaptation Co-Benefits  Decreased risk of asbestos exposure due to flooding and other extreme weather events SDGs Advanced by Nauru’s NDC on Disposal of Asbestos Good health and well-being is enhanced by Climate action is enhanced by reducing the risks eliminating the risk of exposure to asbestos, a known associated with extreme rainfall, flooding and coastal carcinogen, currently posed by the insecure storage of inundation, which can increase the risk of asbestos asbestos waste around the island. exposure from insecure storage. Clean water is protected by eliminating the risk of Access to adequate means of implementation is further contamination of ground water resources essential to finance the collection, transport and secure currently posed by insecure storage of asbestos. disposal of insecurely stored asbestos waste. 3. WATER SECURITY Provide a Reliable Supply of Clean Water Securing a safe and reliable water supply for all citizens remains an ongoing priority. Nauru is a permeable island with extremely limited natural freshwater resources. Existing capacity to collect surface run-off is limited. The groundwater is polluted and brackish, and there is limited surface water.12 Nauru’s water supply is susceptible to climate events, such as prolonged droughts, which severely undermine the ability to supply water for domestic needs and for which focused climate change adaptation efforts are required. There is no potable water reticulation system currently in operation in Nauru. Most households meet their potable and non-potable water needs through a combination of rainwater harvesting that is stored in household rainwater tanks, desalinated water that is delivered by tankers, and groundwater. Since Nauru frequently experiences prolonged droughts, rainwater harvesting cannot fully meet household needs. Without a reticulated water system, the Government of Nauru struggles to provide adequate municipal services. Nauru’s state-owned utility NUC operates five reverse-osmosis units to desalinate seawater for potable use around the island. Though NUC has increased water supply capacity, the water supply system is at risk from supply interruptions, particularly during drought. The maximum water supply capacity from the five existing desalination plants is about 3,410 m3 per day, significantly exceeding the average demand of about 1,500 m3 per day. However, orders to resupply desalinated water can take up to one month due to limited tanker trucks, which are old and often under maintenance. Rainwater is captured from the rooftops of households and businesses and is stored in on-site storage tanks, however, changing rain patterns and extended droughts due to climate change limit the reliability of this water source. Maintenance of storage tanks is a responsibility of the individual households, which often results in contamination due to poor maintenance. There are also concerns that household rainwater collection infrastructure such as roofs, gutters, pipes and storage tanks are unfit for sanitary water collection and storage. Groundwater occurs on the island within a large unconfined aquifer with direct hydraulic connection to the Pacific Ocean. The aquifer is recharged by rainfall infiltration with discharge to the coastal margin.13 On small ocean islands, fresh groundwater typically occurs as a lense-shaped body directly below the groundwater table underlain by a zone of brackish water and, in turn, seawater. Groundwater surveys show that the freshwater resource is highly dynamic due to due to the high permeability of the karstic limestone composition of the island, with rapid responses to groundwater recharge from rainfall. During periods of high rainfall, significant freshwater lenses are present under Topside. When rainfall is low, associated with drought conditions, these lenses diminish to small areas at the coastal margin. In extended periods of low rainfall, the much of the groundwater resource becomes brackish. This groundwater is accessible in some populated locations, but these supplies are likely contaminated and not suitable for drinking. The main use of groundwater is for showering, washing (kitchen & laundry), toilet flushing and for lawn and garden irrigation. There is a risk of saltwater intrusion into groundwater supplies, which will increase with rising sea level. In some instances at the household level, freshwater from all three distinct freshwater sources - desalination, groundwater, and collected rainwater - are blended, further increasing risk of contamination.

12 Government of Nauru, Water Supply System Master Plan, 2023.

13 Higher Ground Report, Volume 5. Some climate change assessments indicate that annual and seasonal mean rainfall is projected to increase in Nauru, along with increases in the intensity and frequency of days of extreme rainfall. This presents both opportunities and challenges with regard to Nauru’s water security, and further highlights the need for adequate investment in proper infrastructure to control, collect, store and distribute water effectively. The existing water supply system also produces significant GHG emissions from the desalination plants and transport trucks, as both rely on diesel fuel, which presents the opportunity for long-term emissions reductions from proper investments in water security. Climate actions to improve water security featured prominently in Nauru’s 2020 update to its NDC, with a suite of projects and initiatives covering numerous vulnerabilities in the current system. Implementation Status of Existing Contributions in the Water Sector Status Contribution NEAR Establish NUC water office and laboratory to monitor the quality of water supplied COMPLETION to population (2030) ACHIEVED Undertake repairs to NUC water storage tanks (2030) UPDATING PLAN Increase NUC water storage capacity (2030) INTEGRATED Implement water supply components of the Water and Sanitation Master Plan INTO NSRUDP (2030) SEEKING FUNDING Model impacts of sea level rise and saltwater intrusion into groundwater (2030) SEEKING FUNDING Assess the condition of groundwater supplies (2030) Unconditional Contribution Establish NUC water office and laboratory to monitor the quality of water supplied to population The establishment of NUC’s water office and laboratory will allow NUC to monitor the quality of water supplied to the population on-island. The project was initially funded externally, however, due to performance issues with the local contractor, NUC assumed full responsibility for the project in 2022. The project is targeted to be completed before the end FY 25/26. Conditional Contribution Undertake repairs to NUC water storage tanks NUC has completed all feasible repairs on its existing storage tanks. Non-Destructive Testing was performed on its B13 storage tank, and it was determined that the tank can only be filled up to 70% capacity due to aging and concerns over its structural integrity. There are potential risks of failure if the tank is filled beyond this limit. Repair on NUC’s six other “C” storage tanks has been completed with the support of Canstruct. All C tanks are still currently in use. These repairs serve as a temporary solution, until more water storage infrastructure can be installed. Conditional Contribution Increase NUC water storage capacity Increased water storage capacity is urgently needed to provide resilience to drought and periods of high demand. NUC is planning to install additional water storage tanks, which included a 3 ML plus two 300 kL tanks, which would increase storage capacity by 60 percent. The project was progressing well, with procurement processes well underway until the project was halted for three years as a result of COVID19. Currently, NUC is revisiting the project scope to ensure alignment with the NSRUDP. Conditional Contribution Implement water supply components of the Water and Sanitation Master Plan The Water and Sanitation Master Plan (and the corresponding May 2017 update) provided a detailed proposal to build the necessary water treatment works, water storage facilities, pump stations, reticulation system and household connections. It has been now integrated into the NSRUDP, which is being funded by the ADB. The new NSRUDP will establish the country’s first reticulated water supply system, comprising around 24 km of water mains and customer connections, including water meters, transfer mains, pumping stations, and associated control systems, and serving around 1,200 households (55% of the population) and businesses in the high-density area between Baitsi and Yaren. NSRUDP will also strengthen the non-reticulated water supply services for the remaining households. The improved water supply system will diversify water sources and provide households with improved access to desalinated water to supplement rainwater, which cannot be relied on during periods of prolonged drought. Water will be sourced from the Aiwo desalination plant. Two new water storage reservoirs and a pump station will be built at Aiwo to ensure a continuous supply and good water pressure. Construction of all civil works and assembly of all related equipment and infrastructure, including meters and information management system with integrated early warning systems for water supply system is scheduled to be completed by Q3 2028.14 NSRUDP will also support the development of a plan to improve the quality, safety, and resilience of (i) the rainwater storage system for households to be connected to the new network, and (ii) the water supply system for the remaining population (45% of the total population equivalent to about 1,000 households) who will continue to rely mainly on rainwater and other non-reticulated sources. The project will also develop a water supply connection scheme for households connecting to the new reticulated network and an assessment, improvement, and optimization plan for non-reticulated water delivery systems for NUC. Conditional Contribution Modeling of impacts of sea level rise and saltwater intrusion into groundwater Given the sea level rise projections, it is imperative that Nauru prepares an assessment of the potential impacts of saltwater intrusion into its groundwater supplies. Groundwater is an important source of water for activities like washing, toilet flushing and irrigation, and if contamination issues can be addressed, groundwater uses could potentially be expanded. However, saltwater intrusion would force the country to increase the supply of water from other sources, most likely energy intensive desalination plants. Nauru currently lacks the capacity to conduct this type of assessment domestically, and therefore still requires financial and technical support.

14 Nauru Sustainable and Resilient Urban Development Project: Project Administration Manual, September 2024. Conditional Contribution Assess the condition of groundwater supplies While ground water is an important source of freshwater for the above mentioned uses, the extent of the contamination is not well understood. An assessment of the current state of groundwater supplies is necessary to determine the levels of contamination from sewerage and other sources, so that we can provide accurate public health information to the public and take appropriate remedial actions. Nauru is still seeking financial and technical support necessary to undertake such an assessment. New Contributions in the Water Sector Status Contribution NEW Install electric Reverse Osmosis Unit to NUC water desalination site (2030) Conditional Contribution Install Electric Reverse Osmosis Unit As part of the Supporting Mainstreamed Achievement of Roadmap Targets on Energy in Nauru (SMARTEN) project the Government of Nauru aims to increase applications of feasible Renewable Energies (RE) and Energy Efficiency (EE) technologies for supporting socio-economic development in Nauru in accordance with the country’s energy roadmap targets. A pilot project under SMARTEN is the implementation of a 480,000 L/day Reverse Osmosis (RO) unit, to be added to the NUC water desalination site in Menen, to take advantage of existing infrastructures and equipment (i.e., pumps, water tanks, and reticulation system). The new unit is expected to be operated using “free” curtailed solar energy from the 6 MW solar plant. RO unit is presented as a demand-side energy management asset, that is a way to store excess energy from the PV plant in the form of desalinated water. NUC will have the opportunity to run the RO unit in those hours with excess generation and minimize energy curtailment from the solar PV plants and thus will minimize the need for very large additional battery storage system. In addition to enhancing water security, this unit will contribute towards reducing diesel fuel consumption for water desalination and thus reduce the GHG emissions. Adaptation Co-Benefits Mitigation Co-Benefits  Improved water supply, storage and distribution  Potential use of groundwater supplies would reduce would provide water security in the case of energy use for water desalination prolonged droughts and other changes in precipitation patterns  Increased resilience of domestic food supply to interruption by climate change-driven impacts SDGs Advanced by Nauru’s NDC to Provide a Reliable Supply of Clean Water Good health and well-being is enhanced by providing Water security will be increased by providing a clean tested water to reduce the incidence of water borne modern and reliable water delivery and sewerage and water contamination related illness. system, by eliminating the discharge of untreated household wastewater and by improving water use efficiency. Climate action will be enhanced by strengthening Life below water will be enhanced by treating sewage resilience and adaptive capacity to climate related appropriately before discharge into groundwater, changes to rain patterns. lagoons and the ocean. Life on land will be improved by reducing the discharge Durable partnerships and access to adequate of sewage into inland freshwater ecosystems. means of implementation will be required to implement these contributions. 4. FOOD SECURITY Improve Food Security Through Increased Local Food Production Increasing domestic food production is a key national development priority in Nauru’s National Sustainable Development Strategy. Food security is a persistent challenge for Nauru, which relies on imports for around 90% of the populations dietary intake, making the country extremely vulnerable to supply disruptions and global price increases. Nauru’s geographic isolation contributes to high shipping costs, which places access to fresh and healthy foods out of reach of much of the population. The resulting poor diets have extremely negative health consequences, including some of the highest rate of non-communicable diseases in the world. Stunting, low birth weight and mortality rate among children under-five years are relatively high compared to global averages, with 51% of this age group having anemia. Around 89% of the adult population are overweight and over 60% of the adult population are obese, substantially higher than global averages. Similarly, obesity and diabetes rates for adults are among the highest in the world. Life expectancy in Nauru for both men and women is low even relative to other Pacific Island Countries. NCDs are the leading causes of mortality, morbidity and disability, accounting to 79% of all deaths in Nauru, and their incidence is on the rise. Only 6% of the population are able to meet the minimum standard of five servings of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis.15 Increasing food production in Nauru faces numerous barriers, including:  Lack of knowledge and skills in agricultural production,  Lack of arable land,  Poor soil conditions,  Water availability,  Biodiversity loss, including loss of ecosystem services and soil organisms,  Land tenure system, and  High cost of agricultural inputs.16 Climate change has the potential to further undermine efforts to improve food security with regards to both national efforts and Nauru’s ability to import healthy food from abroad. Price volatility in global commodity markets can be expected to increase with global warming and its negative impacts on major food growing regions. Any food shortages at the global level will likely have profound negative impacts on the ability of Nauruans to secure affordable supplies. For example, the 2007-2008 global food crisis resulted in many basic commodities like rice selling for as much as four times the global average in Nauru. In addition, the experience of COVID-19 has demonstrated how interruptions to global supply chains abroad can sometimes completely obstruct the timely delivery of food to Nauru. Therefore, increasing food security, including efforts to increase domestic food production, is a critical national security priority, as well as a key climate change adaptation strategy.

15 National Food Security and Nutrition Policy.

16 Nauru Agricultural Sector Strategy 2024-2034. Implementation Status of 2020 Contributions Status Contribution SEEKING SUPPORT Maintain ongoing agricultural technical trials (2030) SEEKING SUPPORT Implement Food Security Related National Strategic and Action Plans (2030) SEEKING Collect and analyze data on climate change impacts on fisheries and marine SUPPORT resources (2030) IMPLEMENTING Develop milkfish farming in support of the development and expansion of PROJECT aquaculture (2030) In addition to these contributions, the Governance Section includes additional contributions related to the development of food security related national plans. Conditional Contribution Maintain ongoing agricultural technical trials The Government has undertaken programmes in both agriculture and fisheries/aquaculture to trial methods to develop domestic food production, but they require further development and support. Growing fruits and vegetables is challenging in Nauru, because of low soil quality and insecure water supplies. There have been a number of successful small-scale and trial projects - vegetable farm, piggery, seedling distribution, kitchen gardens and public education initiatives. Three trial farms are now in operation, including the recently-opened Menen farm to test crops in sandy soil, which has proceeded well growing breadfruit and pandanus. There is also a 1.5 hectare extension for the purpose of growing more staple food crops. The next phase of these trials is to develop business plans. Nauru is exploring opportunities with new development partners to maintain and expand existing efforts, as we require both financial and technical support. The Government of Nauru intends to continue the existing agricultural technical trials to further develop potential scalable long-term food security initiatives in Nauru. Conditional Contribution Implement Food Security Related National Strategic and Action Plans Nauru has completed the development of several landmark policy documents intended to enhance food security in the country, including:  Nauru Food Security and Nutrition Policy 2024/25-2028/29,  Nauru Climate Smart Agriculture Plan (2021-2025)17, and  Nauru Agricultural Sector Strategy 2024-2034. The Department of Environmental Management and Agriculture (DEMA) is also finalizing the Nauru E-Agriculture Strategy. These policy documents are the result of intensive national consultations among all relevant stakeholders and communities. To implement these plans, Nauru has developed the “Green Harvest Initiative,” an ambitious proposal to establish a climate-resilient, large-scale fruit tree farming system that not only ensures year-round, affordable, and accessible fruit production for all Nauruans, but also restores the environment and creates lasting benefits for 17 Nauru Climate Smart Agriculture Plan (2021-2025). future generations through the enhancement of food security, biodiversity, soil health and ecological balance. The 23.85 ha agriculture plot will implement several approaches to enhance sustainability in Nauru’s challenging environment, including:  Soil restoration: Ensuring the black soil used is rich in nutrients and suited for fruit tree growth.  Fruit tree selection: Choosing drought resilient, native, and high-yield fruit trees for long- term sustainability.  Water management: Implementing irrigation and water conservation techniques.  Community engagement: focuses on building trust, offering mutual benefits, information gathering and ensuring that landowners and the general population see themselves as key stakeholders in Nauru’s food future.  Monitoring & sustainability: Establishing a system to care for the fruit trees and assess their long-term impact. Tree Type Qty Trees/Ha Yield/Tree/Year Total Annual Yield Coconut 1,000 200 50–100 nuts 50,000–100,000 nuts Papaya 300 1,600 30–100 fruits 9,000–30,000 fruits Pandanus 500 625 5-15kg fruits 750–3,750 kg fruits Moringa 10,000 1,100 50–100 pods + leaves 500,000–1M pods Banana 5,000 1,100 20–40 kg/bunch 100,000–200,000 kg Almond 1,000 275 5–10 kg nuts 5,000–10,000 kg Noni 1,500 400 50–100 fruits 75,000–150,000 fruitss Breadfruit 500 150 100–200 fruits 50,000–100,000 fruits Mango 1,000 200 50–200 fruits 50,000–200,000 fruits Guava 2,000 625 20–50 kg 40,000–100,000 kg Soursop 1,500 400 20–50 fruits 30,000–75,000 fruits Nauru will require approximately USD 409,000-769,000 of funding for the Initiative (not including the costs associated with soil restoration). Conditional Contribution Collect and analyze data on climate change impacts on fisheries and marine resources The Government of Nauru has made great strides in the collection of general data on the country’s coastal fisheries and marine resources. The system that has been put in place with the assistance of SPC enables Nauru to comply with regional reporting standards, which facilitates comparative analysis with the rest of the Pacific region. However, the Nauru Fisheries and Marine Resources Authority (NFMRA) still suffers from human resource constraints, which can make consistent reporting challenging. The collection of data on climate change-specific impacts is currently beyond the capacity of the Government and will require technical and financial resources for implementation. Nauru is actively exploring possible regional initiatives that could assist with this effort, but has not yet identified source of support at the time of submission of this updated NDC. Conditional Contribution Develop milkfish farming in support of the development and expansion of aquaculture Once a common practice in Nauru, milkfish farming has declined significantly over recent decades. Expanding milkfish farming in Nauru is an important Government priority for enhancing domestic food security, which includes plans to rehabilitate the Buada Lagoon and Anabar ponds, set up milkfish aquaculture operations and establish management, marketing and retailing operations. NFMRA is working to identify possible new partners to provide the necessary technical and financial assistance. These efforts will be aided by the Resilient Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture in Nauru Project, funded by a grant from the Adaptation Fund for approximately USD 8 million. The project will among other things provide technical recommendation for strengthening the National Aquaculture Plan. Adaptation Co-Benefits Mitigation Co-Benefits  Improved resilience by collecting data to better  Reduced emissions related to the import of foods understanding climate impacts on agriculture, from great distances fisheries and marine resources  Enhanced soil health for greater carbon  Improved resilience by increasing domestic food sequestration production  Improved resilience by completing and implementing the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Regulation to strengthen governance of fisheries and marine resources  Improved resilience by providing training on sustainable livestock management and feed production  Greater community participation and ownership through promotion of sustainable practices SDGs Advanced by Nauru’s NDC to Improve Food Security Through Increased Local Food Production Food security is enhanced by the development of the Strategic Plan for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture that will provide the blueprint for increased domestic agricultural supply which once implemented will increase food supply and security. The ongoing agricultural technical trials will allow for the refinement of agricultural techniques resulting in higher yields and greater food security. Fisheries and aquaculture-related legislation and data collection will provide a scientific basis and legislative framework to ensure the success of a potential aquaculture technical trial. Good health and well-being is enhanced by being positioned to provide Nauruan citizens will healthy, high quality, domestically produced agricultural and fish products. Climate action is enhanced by reducing the need to import foods from long distances for consumption and by improving resiliency by providing local food supplies. Marine ecosystem resilience will be enhanced by the collection of data to increase the understanding of climate change impacts on fisheries and marine resources and by providing a legislative framework to strengthen governance of fisheries and marine resources Durable partnerships are enhanced by continuing to work with Republic of China (Taiwan) on existing agricultural technical trials and through continued work with SPC to monitor the impacts of climate change on fisheries and marine resources. 5. ENERGY SECURITY Establishing Energy Security Nauru is almost completely reliant on imported fossil fuels for power generation and transport, which imposes a significant financial burden and energy supply risks on the country. The vast majority of Nauru’s energy supply is in the form of imported liquid fossil fuels, being automotive diesel, unleaded petrol (gasoline) and to a lesser extent Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). A small but fast-growing proportion of energy supply is in the form of indigenous production of solar electricity, as Nauru has an excellent solar resource. As the country has limited domestic energy resources, solar energy is expanding as a viable alternative. The high cost of fuel imports, coupled with inefficiencies in energy consumption, poses economic and environmental challenges. To address these, the Government developed the Nauru Energy Strategy Framework and the Nauru Energy Road Map (NERM), which focuses on increasing renewable energy adoption, improving efficiency, and reducing GHG emissions through targeted interventions in electricity generation and transport, the two largest energy-consuming sectors. Electricity is predominantly generated by diesel-fired power plants, with public electricity generation consuming nearly 50% of national fuel imports.18 Despite recent improvements in generator efficiency and the integration of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, the electricity grid remains costly and emission-intensive. Network losses and inefficiencies in air conditioning and refrigeration further strain the system. Planned solar expansions, including a 6 MW PV plant with battery storage, aim to increase the share of renewable energy to ~41%, reducing reliance on diesel fuel and stabilizing electricity costs. Transport is one of the largest energy consumers and GHG emitters in Nauru, primarily powered by imported petrol and diesel. Domestic transport, which includes private vehicles, government fleets, and commercial transport, accounts for a significant portion of fuel demand. Unlike many other island nations, Nauru has weak public transport infrastructure and vehicle fuel efficiency policies, leading to high per capita fuel consumption. Nauru is taking efforts to transition to electric vehicles (EVs), improve road transport fuel efficiency, and promote ride-sharing as potential strategies to curb fuel dependence and mitigate GHG emissions. Nauru’s strategy to establish energy security by targeting mitigation actions in the electricity and transport sector in the most sustainable and environmentally friendly way possible is captured in the updated Nauru Energy Road Map (NERM 2022) and its Supporting Mainstreamed Achievement of Roadmap Targets on Energy in Nauru (SMARTEN) project, which aim to enable the increased applications of feasible Renewable Energies (RE) and Energy Efficiency (EE) technologies for supporting socio-economic development in Nauru in accordance with the country’s energy roadmap targets. The enhanced objectives under the NERM 2022, set principal energy objectives that also serve as Nauru’s contributions under the Paris Agreement, which are listed below. Achieving the energy transition requires robust institutional and legal frameworks. Nauru is developing a Nauru Energy Act, which will:  establish a clear legislative and governance framework for the energy sector,  formalize sector planning, reporting, and tariff-setting mechanisms under Cabinet oversight,  support steps toward more transparent and sustainable cost recovery for electricity services, and

18 Nauru Energy Strategy Framework.  clarify institutional roles and responsibilities for monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV). The Act will also provide a legal basis for potential future participation by non-government actors in renewable energy generation, subject to Cabinet approval and regulation. Additional measures include:  establishing a NERM coordination mechanism,  building technical and vocational training programs for local engineers and operators,  integrating energy planning and budgeting processes into government systems, and  expanding the Nauru Sustainable Energy Fund (NSEF) to leverage climate finance Electricity Sector Although being one of the smallest and most remotely located countries in the world, Nauru is making significant strides in renewable energy adoption, particularly solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, to reduce its reliance on costly and carbon-intensive fossil fuels. Current installed solar energy capacity of Nauru is 2.5 MW contributing to the grid are the 500kW ground-mounted solar farm at Buada, donated by the United Arab Emirates, 1,125 kW solar PV farm funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the European Union (EU) and approximately 31 solar PV rooftop installations installed on government buildings, businesses, and private residences of ~832 kW. The ADB funded major 6 MW solar PV farm with a 5 MW/2.5 MWh battery storage system has been installation is completed and once operational will Increase the renewable energy share to ~41% of total electricity generation. Reduce diesel fuel consumption by ~2.75 million litres per year. While solar energy presents a cost-effective alternative to diesel generation, high penetration of solar requires advanced battery storage and grid management systems and the need for local capacity-building and technical training to maintain and manage solar infrastructure. Nauru has established a target to reach 75% of RE in 2030, which will require the deployment of new RE projects, as well as increasing the energy storage capacity in the country. Additionally, actions under the SMARTEN project and NEEDS project that contribute to energy security include: Nauru Energy Efficiency on the Demand Side (NEEDS) initiative: The goal of this project is to improve energy efficiency in the residential, commercial and government sectors by 30%. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Government of New Zealand is sponsoring a project aiming to support the achievement of the 30% energy efficiency target set in the NERM. The program helped develop a Nauru Energy Balance to monitor and show how national energy use changes over time, is introducing performance labeling regulations for electrical appliances and coordinates the roll-out of LED lights across the residential, commercial and government sectors. SMARTEN Project: Supporting Mainstreamed Achievement of Roadmap Targets on Energy in Nauru project focuses on addressing barriers to achieving NERM 2022 targets and aligns with the country’s updated NSDS. Once implemented the project is expected to reduce 1.049 million Metric Tons of CO2. The 4 main focus areas of this program are energy policy and regulatory framework strengthening, support for RE and EE Initiatives, promotion of RE and EE technology applications and improve energy sector capacity. Implementation Status of 2020 Contributions in Electricity Sector Status Contribution ACHIEVED Establish power grid capable of providing stable and affordable power (2030) NEARLY ACHIEVED Renewable energy comprises 50% of Nauru’s power generation (2030) IMPLEMENTING Achieve 30% energy savings (2030) Conditional Contribution Establish power grid capable of providing stable and affordable power This contribution has been largely achieved. While the Nauru Utilities Corporation (NUC) is continuing efforts to actively improve both quality and reliability of the electricity grid, the improvement is evident from performance indicators reported in its annual and half yearly reports. System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) is a common metric for monitoring the reliability of power supply by electric power utilities. The System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) presents the number of instances of power interruption experienced by a customer per year. Both indicators have reduced drastically. With assistance from the European Union, Nauru has undertaken rehabilitation and upgrades to the distribution network, including: rehabilitation of the high voltage network, construction of an 11 kV feeder through the middle of the island to connect large off-grid loads, a solar power transfer line, and some low voltage line upgrades.19 Conditional Contribution Renewable energy comprises 50% of Nauru’s power generation With funding support from ADB a 6MW solar photovoltaic farm with 5MW/2.5MW battery capacity has been installed, bringing Nauru close to achieving it 50% renewable energy target. Conditional Contribution Achieve 30% energy savings The Government of Nauru is taking several measures towards achieving this goal, including:  Development of the Nauru National Building Code (under process),  NEEDS initiative - LED Lighting Scheme and Energy efficiency training, community awareness, building energy code implementation, air-conditioning efficiency standards, load management measures, and  Under SMARTEN project - Nauru Sustainable Energy Fund (NSEF) has been set up as a financing option to support end users to make efficiency investments. New and Strengthened Contributions in Electricity Sector Status Contribution STRENGTHENED Renewable energy comprises 75% of Nauru’s power generation (2035)

19 Nauru Energy Strategy Framework, 2020. Conditional Contribution Renewable energy comprises 75% of Nauru’s power generation by 2035 Nauru has already taken proactive measures to be on track in achieving its 50% RE target. In this upcoming period Nauru has raised its ambition to achieve 75% RE with a well-planned phased implementation approach. The updated Nauru Energy Road Map supports the gradual rollout of large-scale solar power systems to reduce Nauru’s reliance on imported fossil fuels such as Port energy saving project which will implement solar together with wind turbines on the edge of the Port, taking advantage of the prevailing Westerly winds. Additional installation of Solar and Wind to achieve its 75% target can be met only through international Financial Aid. Government of Nauru is also open to exploring Public Private partnership funding model for expanding largescale RE installation in Nauru. Along with expanding installed RE capacity, appropriate renewable energy storage or increasing storage capacity through use of battery energy storage systems (BESS) or Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) to 25-30 MW with financial aid from multilateral banks or climate funds is part of Nauru’s aspirational future planning. Additionally, Feasibility studies and pilot projects on other renewable energy sources such as wind energy and hydrogen technologies will help identify viable alternatives suitable for Nauru’s environment. With the installation of new RE technology comes the need for enhanced local capacity to manage, operate, and maintain solar PV systems independently. This investment in human capital ensures sustainability, reduces dependence on external expertise, and creates local employment opportunities within the energy sector. Nauru requires support to build in-country capacity to operate and maintain the energy infrastructure. A strong legislative base will provide direction for investments and operations within the sector, enhancing long-term energy security and sustainability. The Government of Nauru aims to address this by developing Nauru Energy Act to create an overarching legislative and governance framework for the energy sector in Nauru and an enabling environment for private sector investment. With financial and capacity building support Nauru aims to build in-country capacity and undertake energy use and supply analysis. Developing a skilled local workforce is essential for Nauru’s energy transition. With the installation of the new ADB 6MW Solar system, the Government is focusing on conducting training programs to build technical skills for operating EE & RE equipment to be operated by qualified and well- trained personnel. Further, with capacity building support from multilateral banks and climate funds the Government of Nauru can undertake training program for government officials and key stakeholders in energy planning, budgeting, and integrated energy development planning. Capacity building on integrated energy development plans and coordination mechanisms with Government of Nauru is essential. Training programs focus on energy planning to give effect to NERM coordination mechanisms, accounting for the impact of recent changes in consumption behaviour and the integration of larger-scale solar photovoltaic systems, which can inform future energy systems planning and ensure effective NERM coordination. Investment in technical and vocational education, as well as specialized training programs in renewable energy and energy management, will empower locals to actively participate in and benefit from the growing energy sector. Strengthening local capacity reduces reliance on foreign expertise and ensures continuity and resilience in energy operations. Transport Sector Nauru has about 30 km of roads running along its coastline, 80% of which are paved. Transportation in the island state is mainly provided by private vehicles. There are about 206 cars per thousand people in Nauru and when motorcycles are included, this motorization index rises to about 300 cars and motorcycles per thousand people. This indicates that locals have relatively good access to transportation services. However, transport relies predominantly on imported fuels, and the rising demand for private transportation modes is negatively affecting the country’s fossil fuel expenditures, energy security and GHG emissions. Nauru currently has no taxi services and public transport system consists of a fleet of 16 buses, but not offering a regular service. In 2019, the total number of vehicles were 4,431, from which about 2,181 vehicles were private cars, 1,035 private motorcycles, 537 government vehicles, and 675 commercial vehicles. The majority of light-duty vehicles use petrol; however, the share of diesel vehicles has been increasing since 2017.20 The electrification of the mobility can bring many benefits to Nauru, such as reduce the amount of imported fossil fuels, increase energy resiliency and security, increase the participation of RE in the energy mix, improve EE in the mobility sector, improve air and noise pollution, and bring economic savings to the country. The SMARTEN project has the objective to enable the increased applications of RE and EE technologies in Nauru. As part of the pilot under this project (Hybrid Diesel-Electric bus for Public Transportation) the first electric bus (e-bus) in Yaren District was launched, marking a significant commitment by the Government in reducing emissions and advancing sustainable energy solutions, December 2024. The SMARTEN project financed the elaboration of this Electric Mobility Roadmap for Nauru, which determines the actions and investments required to reach target of 20% of EVs by 2030. However, the deployment of Electric Vehicles in Nauru still faces many challenges, including infrastructural, political, institutional and financial limitations, as well as lack of awareness and local capacity. New Contributions in Transport Sector Status Contribution NEW Develop Electric Mobility Roadmap for Nauru (2030) Reach 20% electric vehicle component of the Nauru total land transport vehicle NEW fleet (2035) NEW Update and implement new energy efficiency regulations in transport (2030) NEW Conduct assessment of substitutes to diesel and petrol for transport (2030) Conditional Contribution Develop Electric Mobility Roadmap by 2030 As stated in the NERM and the Energy Compact, Nauru has established the target to reach 20% of EVs by 2030. To achieve this target, it is required to electrify at least 860 vehicles, actions that can contribute towards this transition are listed below:  Transition of public transport to electric vehicles: The regular public transportation system for Nauru to be based on 10 e-buses, with some buses as a backup and for specific trips (school buses). The implementation of this bus transport system has an estimated budget of

20 SMARTEN Electric Mobility Road Map US$ 2,200,00021 (US$ 2,000,000 M for the buses and U$ 200,000 for the chargers) once implemented, expected fuel saving is 532 kL and 855 tons of CO2 each year.  E-Bike Sharing Service (BSS) will be composed of e-bikes, docking stations, etc. The implementation of the Bike Sharing Service has an estimated budget of US$ 400,000 (which includes the purchase of bikes, docking stations, a truck to move the bikes and other system set up costs) expected fuel saving of 74.7 kL and 175 tons of CO2 each year. The BSS will also promote healthier modes of transport and physical exercise, bringing indirect benefits to the health sector.  Electric Scooter Share System (SSS), a system composed of e-scooters will be implemented, servicing the coastal and Buada lake area. The SSS will also benefit from the deployment of charging infrastructure in public space. The implementation of the SSS system has an estimated budget of US$ 250,000 M (which includes the scooters and other system set up costs) and it is expected to save the use of 74.7 kL of fuel, US$ 43,980 and 164 tons of CO2 each year. It is estimated that the implementation of the roadmap will require an investment of US$ 12.4 M. once fully implemented the roadmap actions can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in the road transport sector by 26.4% and 20.7% respectively. Conditional Contribution Reach 20% electric vehicle component of vehicle fleet by 2035 The transition towards electric mobility presents a transformative opportunity for Nauru, offering multiple environmental, economic, and social benefits that directly contribute to the country’s climate change mitigation and resilience goals. By replacing fossil-fuel powered vehicles with electric alternatives, Nauru can significantly reduce its dependence on imported petroleum products, thereby enhancing national energy security and lowering exposure to volatile global fuel prices. At the same time, integrating electric vehicles (EVs) into the transport sector will increase the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix and improve energy efficiency, particularly when charging is aligned with daytime solar generation. This transition is also expected to bring co- benefits, such as improved air quality, reduced noise pollution, and measurable economic savings, all of which support sustainable development and healthier living conditions. Despite these clear benefits, the large-scale deployment of EVs in Nauru is constrained by a range of infrastructural, institutional, political, and economic challenges, as well as limited public awareness and local technical capacity. To address these barriers, the updated NERM along with the Supporting Mainstreamed Achievement of Roadmap Targets on Energy in Nauru (SMARTEN) program put out ambitious but achievable targets by vehicle category aiming to electrifying: - 40% of motorbikes (500 units) - 10% of cars (250 units) - 25% of vans (100 units) - 30% of buses (10 units) by 2030. Complementary technologies, such as e-bikes and micro-mobility systems, are also prioritized, with the target of introducing 700 e-bikes to support low-emission, short-distance travel. These key strategic interventions, including the promotion of a modern electric public transportation system composed of 10 e-buses and four fast chargers to serve the coastal road and Buada Lagoon area. The interventions also target the electrification of 35% of public fleets by 2030 - amounting to 100 motorbikes, 75 cars, and 25 vans/small trucks - with dedicated charging infrastructure provided to adequately meet the resulting demand for Government and institutional use.

21 SMARTEN project will finance the implementation of 2 e-buses and 2 fast chargers, with an estimated budget of ~US$ 500,000. To encourage the uptake of EVs in the private sector, the Government of Nauru is planning to introduce a package of incentives, including tax breaks on imports and registration fees, direct subsidies and rebate programs, as well as preferential electricity tariffs for EV charging. If the EV electricity demand could be supplied directly from solar energy, this will maximize the climate benefits of the transition. By implementing this phased transition, Nauru positions itself to make a measurable contribution to global emission reduction efforts while advancing its national commitments under the Paris Agreement. The electrification of mobility not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also strengthens resilience, fosters innovation, and accelerates the shift toward a low-carbon, climate- resilient future. Conditional Contribution Update and implement new energy efficiency regulations in transport by 2030 Nauru’s transport sector is one of the largest consumers of imported fossil fuels and major source of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. Updating and implementing new energy efficiency regulations in this sector is therefore essential to achieving national energy security, reducing emissions, and aligning with global climate commitments. In 2021, the Government of Nauru (GoN) completed The Sustainable Land Transport Strategy and Proposed Actions for Nauru. The strategy focuses on the following objectives: - Promote cleaner and more efficient fuels and vehicles, including a policy mandating vehicle emission standards of at least Euro 2, - Develop a roadmap to stricter vehicle emission standards and fuel quality - Integrate land-use and transport planning, - Develop a national plan for shifting to electric mobility for 2-wheelers and 4-wheelers, as well as heavy-duty vehicles in the long run, and - Establish a capacity building program to improve the knowledge and technical capacity of Nauruans in dealing with electric mobility. Another key component in achieving this Sustainable Land Transport Strategy in Nauru is developing and implementing Land Transportation Act, which will establish clear guidelines for vehicle importation and operation policy. The Act will include emission and engine efficiency standards, such as adopting Euro engine norms, which are currently not regulated in Nauru. This measure will ensure that only cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles enter the country, thereby reducing fuel consumption and associated emissions. The Act will also define policies to promote electric mobility, including lowering import taxes on EVs, establishing technical and safety guidelines for charging infrastructure, and setting standards for battery disposal and vehicle recycling. Optimum use of Transport Infrastructure for instance, solar-powered charging facilities, such as rooftop solar panels at bus stops, will be integrated into public transport infrastructure to encourage clean and accessible energy use. In line with the National Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Policies, the updated regulations will cover broader sustainability objectives, including public health, road safety, noise management, equitable access to transport, and the promotion of non-motorized transport options like walking and cycling. These measures will also include stricter vehicle emissions control, regular inspection and maintenance standards, and enhanced roadside air quality monitoring to track progress and enforce compliance. An important element of efficiency regulations is the management of end-of-life vehicles through a vehicle recycling program. By setting up an automobile shredder facility at Topside, Nauru can process old vehicles to recover ferrous and non-ferrous materials, plastics, and fibers, converting them into valuable scrap for resale. With nearly 1,868 SUVs alone occupying around 18,680 m² of land and weighing approximately 5,604 tonnes collectively, vehicle recycling will not only free up critical land space but also reduce environmental hazards from toxic substances such as mercury and lead. Additionally, recycling presents a new revenue stream for the transport department and has the potential to expand into a regional business by accepting end-of-life vehicles from neighboring Pacific countries. Through these updated regulations, Nauru will foster a sustainable land transport strategy that prioritizes affordable and reliable public transport, supports electrification with renewable energy, and promotes cleaner fuels and more efficient vehicles. Collectively, these measures will lower fuel imports, cut CO₂ and pollutant emissions, and improve the overall livability and public health of the nation. Conditional Contribution Conduct assessment of substitutes to diesel and petrol for transport by 2035 The NERM target to achieve reliable and safe supply of fuels – explores possible ways to reduce use or find alternatives to liquid fuels. Given that Nauru is completely dependent on imported fossil fuels for its transport sector, conducting a comprehensive assessment of substitutes to diesel and petrol for the future is critical to strengthening energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This assessment will explore the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of transitioning to alternative fuels such as biofuels, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and hydrogen. Building on the NERM, the detailed feasibility study will examine opportunities for biofuel production on Topside, particularly for use in vehicles and small vessels, while also assessing the long-term potential of biomass as a local energy resource. In addition, the NERM calls for an exploration of LPG supply options as a more economic and cleaner transitional fuel. The Technology needs assessment for Nauru highlighted tow technologies. Research into advanced renewable technologies, including Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES), will further inform the viability of coupling alternative fuels with renewable power systems for transport applications. A feasibility of wind generation projects and their role in powering future electric mobility infrastructure is envisioned as aspirational, future planning. These studies and future plans are subject to availability of resources and technology support from the international community. By systematically assessing these substitutes, Nauru would be able to design a phased transition strategy for reducing reliance on diesel and petrol, supporting its 2035 decarbonization targets while ensuring affordability, resilience, and alignment with broader climate change mitigation commitments. Adaptation Co-Benefits Mitigation Co-Benefits  Infrastructure with increased resilience to climate  Increased access to cleaner and affordable energy change impacts and natural disasters  Reduced greenhouse gas emissions  Increased economic resilience and diversification  Reduced dependency on fossil-fuel intensive  Increased ability to invest in other sustainable technology and transport development and climate priorities  Reduced risk to energy supply chain disruptions SDGs Advanced by Nauru’s NDC to Establish Energy Security Increased participation of women in the energy field Increased access to affordable and clean energy through targeted efforts to increase the capacity and through the uptake of energy efficient practices and greater participation of women during efforts to build domestic deployment of renewable energy. institutional capacity of Nauru’s energy sector. Establishing and maintaining a stable grid and deploying Achievement of Nauru’s energy goals resulting in reliable greater renewables will create job opportunities, and resilient infrastructure able to deliver stable and growth for SMEs, and greater ability to invest in other affordable power to increase productivity, and free up government priorities. resources to be invested in other government priorities to enhance Nauru’s sustainable development and diversify the economy. The sustainability of communities will be enhanced Achievement of Nauru’s energy objectives will result in the with infrastructure resilient to disaster and climate change reduced consumption of fossil fuels and in fossil-fuel impacts, and establishing sustainable transport options. intensive technologies and appliances. Enhanced renewable energy based power generation Successful implementation of Nauru’s energy objectives and the uptake of energy efficient practices will lead will require strong governance and institutions capable to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and investment of implementing and enforcing energy policies and in energy infrastructure resilient to climate change frameworks. impacts and natural disasters. Durable partnerships, access to adequate means of implementation, and technology transfer will be required to fully achieve these goals. 6. HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT Enhancement of Waste Management Facility The effective management of waste is a persistent challenge for Nauru. The Department for Environmental Management and Agriculture (DEMA) oversees waste management activity in Nauru. The current open dumpsite, managed by the Nauru Rehabilitation Corporation (NRC), is spread over five hectares and has been in operation for several decades. During this time, the quantity of disposable consumer goods imported into the country has grown significantly, outstripping the capacity of the dumpsite to safely process and store the waste generated. In 2020, the total estimated per capita waste generation was 1.28 metric tons per person annually, equivalent to about 15,000 metric tons of waste generation in Nauru.22 About 17.5% of the waste generated is organic, and about 40% consists of recyclables such as paper, cardboard, aluminum (and other metal), plastic, and glass. Although collection services are available, open backyard disposal, burning, and illegal dumping at sea and on unused land are common. Waste is not segregated at source or properly recycled, and the collection and processing system is inadequate. Poor solid waste collection and management systems pose a risk to human and ocean health, threaten biodiversity, and degrade air and water quality.23 The waste sector in Nauru contributes to methane emissions from solid waste and wastewater handling. Methane emissions from the waste sector had 12.7% rise during 2007-2014. The current waste management facility also has clear negative consequences for the local environment. The most dangerous impact stems from leachate, which is produced when rainwater falls on exposed waste. Inadequate waste management increases stress on the natural environment. Reducing this stress will increase the resilience of local biodiversity to the negative impacts of climate change. Furthermore, leachate from the dumpsite can infiltrate the groundwater and further stress the water system and threaten water security, which also will face additional challenges due to climate change as discussed in the section on water security above. The Government of Nauru has developed relevant legislation for solid waste management in Nauru through the Environmental Management and Climate Change Act 2020, supported by the Nauru National Recycling Plan (2021) and the Nauru National Solid Waste Strategy (2017). Additionally, with support from the ADB, Nauru is implementing NSRUDP, which includes the development of a new organic waste processing facility and a new waste and material recycling facility, improved waste collection and segregation system design, and gender-responsive measures targeting households headed by women and vulnerable households. Improving the handling of waste and removing organics and recyclables from the waste stream will help alleviate one of the largest stresses on the local environment and water supply. The construction of a new composting facility would also improve food security in the country by producing growing medium for local food production and also reduce fugitive methane emissions from the landfill site. The NSRUDP will also deliver significant contributions to improved public and environmental health by further improving sanitation services and promoting a circular economy through composting and the recycling solid waste. The sustainability of the project will be strengthened through extensive institutional capacity building of utilities, educating stakeholders, supporting an improved enabling environment, updating tariffs and strengthening cost recovery systems.24

22 Government of Nauru. 2023. Solid Waste Management System Master Plan.

23 NSRUDP Proposal

24 Nauru Sustainable and Resilient Urban Development Project: Project Administration Manual, September 2024. Once operational the infrastructure will help divert 35% of the waste generated from the landfill for recycling and composting, enhancing the circular economy and an absolute GHG emission reduction of 887 tCO2e per year. Implementation Status of Existing Contributions in the Waste Sector Status Contribution Improve organization and physical structure of dumpsite cells to prevent ACHIEVED contamination of groundwater supplies (2030) INTEGRATED INTO NSRUDP Build new resource recovery facility for inorganic waste (2030) INTEGRATED INTO NSRUDP Build new organic waste recovery and composting facility (2030) Unconditional Contribution Improve organization and physical structure of dumpsite cells to prevent contamination of groundwater supplies A Remedial Plan identified a number of actions that can maximize the utility of the existing dump site in Nauru and significantly reduce the negative impacts on groundwater and the surrounding environment. The Government has been unable to secure funding for the more substantial physical changes to the dumpsite, which have been deemed cost prohibitive. Instead, Tonkin + Taylor was engaged to improve the management and organization of the site. These changes have been effective at significantly improving its operation and reducing its impact on the surrounding environment. Two advancements that have proven particularly effective and financially sustainable have been compacting waste that has been pre-mixed with dirt and capping. As no additional physical modifications are contemplated at this time, the aims of this contribution are considered achieved. Conditional Contribution Build new resource recovery facility for inorganic waste The Government is planning to construct a new waste and material recycling facility with a capacity of processing at least 2,500 metric tons of recyclable wastes per year as part of the NSRUDP. The volume of waste stored at the dumpsite can be significantly reduced by the construction of a new resource recovery facility for inorganic waste. Recoverable materials include surplus tires, unwanted white goods, scrap steel, aluminum containers, and recycled plastics. Tires have continuing value for communities for use in landscaping, and their re-use can significantly reduce the risk of fire at the landfill. Stockpiling of unwanted white goods can supply appliance repairers with spare parts. Securing equipment for disassembly, cutting and compacting would facilitate the recovery and export of scrap steel. Aluminum cans are easily collected and attract strong prices internationally. Collection of plastic drink containers for export and recycling is also worthy of consideration, though measures to minimize the use of plastics are also being pursued. The resource recovery facility for inorganic waste is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027. Conditional Contribution Build new organic waste recovery and composting facility Nauru has a climate that is well-suited for composting of organic waste materials. Greater availability of compost will significantly contribute to land rehabilitation efforts on Topside as the top layer in the backfilling of mined areas. Compost can also accelerate efforts to increase domestic food production, both as a growing media for household gardens and any future large-scale agriculture on Topside. Compost can also be used for re-establishing native vegetation once areas are rehabilitated. It can also reasonably be expected that composting will reduce fugitive methane emissions. Under the NSRUDP, Nauru will construct an organic waste processing facility for composting by the end of 2027. The new organic waste processing facility with have a capacity of at least 4,500 metric tons of compostable waste processing per year. Adaptation Co-Benefits Mitigation Co-Benefits  Increase resilience of natural ecosystems  Reduce methane emissions  Enhance water security by reducing leachate intrusion into groundwater  Increase food security through production of compost for agriculture SDGs Advanced by Nauru’s NDC on Enhancement of Waste Management Facility Good health and well-being will be enhanced by Clean water and sanitation will be improved by reducing local pollution and risk of fire. significantly reducing leachate, which contaminates groundwater supplies. Enhanced waste management infrastructure will Sustainability of communities will be enhanced by augment sustainability efforts and create economic reducing the impacts of pollution and risk of fire, and by opportunities from resource recovery and composting. encouraging recycling and composting. Sustainable consumption will be encouraged through Climate action will be enhanced by reducing the risk to the adoption of complementary waste management water security and vulnerable marine ecosystems policies in order to reduce the total volume of waste that must be processed. Marine ecosystem resilience will be enhanced by Partnerships with the Pacific Community and the reducing runoff into coastal ecosystems. Government of India are already assisting with implementation and additional finance will be required to fully implement the composting facility. 6. HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Land Management to improve livelihoods and protect biodiversity Before mining on the island, Nauru was covered with dense tropical rainforest, dominated in parts by the Pacific mahogany (Ijo or Tomano) tree and pandanus. The land was managed by an agroforestry system, whereby productive tree species were planted, tended, and cultivated within an environment that was otherwise largely unmodified. Over a century of phosphate mining has significantly degraded about 80% of Nauru’s ecosystems and land. Mining directly destroyed the country forest ecosystems and removed topsoil, leaving behind limestone pinnacles and poor- quality subsoil, making the land unsuitable for agriculture. A majority of the natural habitats on the island were destroyed, leading to a drastic decline in native flora and fauna. Arable land is primarily confined to a narrow coastal strip. The lack of fertile land severely limits local food production, making it difficult to grow enough food to meet the population's needs. In addition, the increasing environmental pressures associated with economic development, such as greater consumption of consumer goods and production of waste, are an ongoing challenge for a country with limited land area. Many of the native species have been extirpated or are on the verge of extirpation from the island. Although no recorded plant species are endemic to Nauru, some are rare, and their conservation is of global relevance. As highlighted in the Rapid Biodiversity Assessment of Nauru, there remain valuable pockets of natural flora and fauna that are worth protecting and restoring.25 And although greatly outnumbered by introduced species, the indigenous plant species still constitute the most culturally-useful and ecologically-important species. Due to the unique adaptability of indigenous Pacific Island plants to the harsh conditions of coastal and small-island environments, and their cultural and ecological utility, their protection and enhancement are crucial as a basis for sustainable development on Nauru. Restoration of key sites will also aid in recovery of declining bird and other animal species and in maintaining future food security. Climate change impacts, particularly drought, will increase stress on the natural environment, which makes reducing other stressors an urgent priority. Supported in part by the Global Environment Facility, Nauru will build the foundation for a transition from mining to sustainable development in Nauru by designing and testing integrated strategies for natural resource management and outlining the financial benefits of improved land use planning and options for increasing productivity. The expected outcomes of the project will create an enabling environment for scaling-up and mainstreaming biodiversity, sustainable land management, and land degradation neutrality into priority sectors. The project has four components: 1) Strengthening policy and institutional capacity for sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation, 2) Rehabilitation and restoration of degraded land to protect and reinstate ecosystem services in Nauru, 3) Conservation and sustainable use of Nauru’s remaining forests, and 4) Capacity building and knowledge sharing to enable scaling up towards land degradation neutrality and biodiversity conservation. 25 Rapid Biodiversity Assessment of Nauru. The project will help restore agricultural productivity in a highly degraded agro-forestry system by improving soil management and increasing soil organic matter content, increasing the vegetation and tree coverage. The project will also mainstream biodiversity conservation into priority sectors (agriculture, tourism, mining and infrastructure development) through land-use planning to ensure that land and resource use maximize production without undermining biodiversity. Lastly, the project will address direct drivers of terrestrial biodiversity loss in Nauru by creating a protected area (Anibare Bay) and implementing sustainable forest management practices in priority areas of important biodiversity and cultural value. Implementation Status of Existing Contributions regarding Ecosystem Restoration Status Contribution ACHIEVED Develop Land Use & Restoration Plan and begin implementation (2030) ONGOING Pilot soil restoration methods and SLM techniques (2030) PENDING ASSESSMENT Establish terrestrial protected area in Anibare Bay (2030) Unconditional Contribution Develop Land Use & Restoration Plan and begin implementation The land use and restoration planning was integrated into the HGI master land use plan. The components of the plan focused on ecosystem restoration were developed in consultation with communities and landowners to guide decision-making, land use management and facilitate mainstreaming of biodiversity into priority sectors to ensure that land and resource use maximize production without undermining biodiversity. Conditional Contribution Pilot soil restoration methods and SLM techniques This contribution will be advanced by the “Transforming Nauru’s Food Systems through Climate Smart Agriculture” Project, which will introduce agriculture techniques that are nature-positive, resilient, and sustainable. This will include biodiversity-friendly soil restoration practices. In addition, the project will:  Rehabilitate 1.5 ha of fertile soil on old mining site,  Put 8.2 ha of land under Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices through the integration of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) into local farm and household garden management​ and development of agroforestry plantation,  Mitigate 1,805 metric tons of CO2e over 20 years through CSA management and soil restoration;  Facilitate establishment of initial agricultural market in Nauru with total volume of at least $300,000 annually; and  Directly benefit to 3,500 local people, including 49% females and 51% males. The 1.5 ha and 23 ha sites to establish an agroforestry area for demonstration and production purposes will incorporate different agricultural crops and sustainable activities, such as medicinal plants, timber species, ornamental plants, non-timber forest species, spices crops and trees, bee keeping, and fruit trees. In addition to becoming an important source of agricultural production, this site will become a model agroforestry area where people can learn. This UNDP/GEF project will require approximately USD 8 million in funding, with a projected start date of January 2026 completion date in 2032. Unconditional Contribution Establish terrestrial protected area in Anibare Bay A line of wooded cliffs overlooking Anibare Bay comprises the richest remaining native vegetation on the island. In 2008, BirdLife International identified the Anibare Bay escarpment as an “Important Bird and Biodiversity Area” (IBA). The Government will take steps to protect the Anibare Bay area, including the coastal area and escarpment, with a view to conserving and managing biodiversity as a means to protect the last undisturbed landscape in Nauru and important bird habitat and refuge for rare and endangered species of plants. Nauru received a grant from the GEF of approximately USD 3.5 million which is helping to dramatically improve sustainable land management, including through the designation of 50 ha of the Key Bio Diversity Area Anibare Bay as a protected area. Anibare Bay Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) is the area of highest biodiversity value in Nauru and several strategic documents, including the Fifth National Report to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) have prioritized this site for biodiversity conservation.26 The area attained recognition as a Key Biodiversity Area and as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) having met two of the four global criteria for IBA status. All mining on the site was halted on 26 Nov 2020 pursuant to Cabinet Resolution 842/2020 pending an analysis of the long-term assessment of the economic social and environmental benefits of conserving the last remaining forested areas in Nauru, which is now in progress. New Contributions in Ecosystem Restoration Restoration and SLM Status Contribution NEW Establish and institutionalise invasive species surveillance system (2035) Conditional Contribution Invasive species surveillance by 2035 Nauru is in the process of establishing and institutionalising a surveillance system for invasive species. Activities include strengthening capacity and expanding monitoring, with high priority placed on both the natural environment and agriculture. DEMA is working with partners SPREP and NRG to develop invasive species action plan, including an early detection rapid response plan. Adaptation Co-Benefits  Increased resilience of sensitive ecosystems to climate change impacts  Increased resilience of local water supply to climate change-induced drought by through improved hydrological cycle and ground water recharge  Increased resilience to climate change-induced interruption of affordable food imports through expansion of agro-forestry practices to increase local food production

26 Government of the Republic of Nauru, ‘Nauru’s Fifth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity’, 2014. SDGs Advanced by Nauru’s NDC to Restore Ecosystems and Protect Biodiversity Food security is enhanced by increasing local production through expansion of agro-forestry methods. Water security is enhanced by the restoration of natural ecosystems to increase ground water recharge. Resilience to climate change is enhanced by building the resilience of sensitive ecosystems to negative climate change impacts through the reduction of other local, anthropogenic stresses and the mainstreaming of sustainable land use planning and land degradation neutrality, with additional climate change adaptation co- benefits in the areas of food and water security. Local biodiversity is enhanced by establishing a protected area in Anibare Bay, identified as Nauru’s most important and diverse terrestrial ecosystem, as well as through the wider use of sustainable land management to curb unsustainable development around the island. Durable partnerships and access to adequate means of implementation will be critical to the implementation of this contribution, which will include funding provided by the national government and the Global Environment Facility, as well as technical support from the Taiwan Technical Mission. 6. HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT Establish Effective Sewage Treatment Sewerage is an ongoing challenge in Nauru. The system consists of primary treatment in the form of on-site septic tanks or cesspits, however, there are currently no pollution safeguards, building codes, or other controls. No centralized sanitation collection system is in place. It is estimated that only 66% of the population has access to improved sanitation facilities (e.g., septic tanks), and the rest use pit latrines and other less sanitary facilities.27 Although on-site sanitation systems serve households, institutions, and businesses, weak regulation and enforcement have resulted in many of the septic tanks leaking or being maintained improperly, leading to environmental contamination. It is suspected that a number of septic tanks and cesspits are damaged and discharging raw sewage to the adjacent soil, thereby contaminating groundwater supplies. There is a need for an assessment of the condition of household cesspits, but this requires both funding and technical assistance. In addition, desludging trucks, operated by the NUC, are in poor condition. The existing septage treatment plant at Nauru Primary School is nonfunctional, and poses a potential health risk to the children, as well as the local community and environment, including through runoff into the ocean. Nauru also lacks effective hygiene promotion programs, which contributes to outbreaks of diarrheal illness and typhoid fever.28 Inadequate sanitation also causes school closures throughout the country.29 Sludge and sewage are transported to the National Sanitation Facility, where they undergo only minimal treatment before being discharged into the environment. While the sludge processing facility initially relied on an aerobic treatment method, this system is no longer operational. The facility currently operates only as a collection of above-ground holding tanks and requires replacement to address these issues. The improper wastewater treatment significantly contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly through the release of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O). The existing treatment plant cannot serve as a long-term reliable sewerage solution to treat and effectively dispose of human waste remains a priority. Improving sanitation is a critical climate change adaptation measure, as the current situation adds stress to many of the same systems that will be affected by the negative impacts of climate change, particularly the environment, public health and water systems. Removing this stress through the deployment of proper sanitation infrastructure is essential to building broader climate change resilience in the country. Implementation Status of Existing Contributions regarding Sewerage Treatment Status Contribution INTEGRATED Implement the sewerage components of the Water and Sanitation Master Plan INTO NSRUDP (2030) ONGOING Address household cesspits (2030)

27 WHO, Sanitation, Drinking Water and Health in Pacific Island Countries, 2016.

28 WHO: Western Pacific Office, Nauru-WHO Country Cooperation Strategy 2018–2022.

29 Government of Nauru, Sanitation System Master Plan, 2023. Conditional Contribution Implementation of the sewerage components of the Water and Sanitation Master Plan The Water and Sanitation Master Plan (and the corresponding May 2017 update) provided a detailed proposal and the costs to address short-term repairs to the current sewage treatment plant, construct a new sewage treatment plant and build the necessary sewer reticulation, septic tanks, pump stations and other necessary infrastructure. This plan has been integrated into the ADB-funded NSRUDP. The sewerage component of the NSRUDP includes construction of a new septage treatment facility (with reuse or disposal of dried biosolids) at the existing dumpsite to treat toilet waste from septic tanks and cesspits. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2028. The old National Sanitation Facility next to Nauru Primary School is scheduled to be decommissioned by the end of 2025 and land reinstated. The ADB grant will also cover the purchase of a new septage truck for pumping out toilet waste from septic tanks and cesspits and transporting the waste to the dumpsite for treatment. The new waste treatment facility will also receive sludge from existing sewage treatment plants on the island for drying and reuse/disposal. Biosolids from the treatment process would be made available to the NRC for land rehabilitation and for potential mixing with green waste to create compost. The new septage processing facility will have a capacity to manage around 640 m3 of sludge per year, including through a wastewater lagoon and drying beds, sufficient to serve 100% of the population. The project will also produce a maintenance scheme to assess, improve, and maintain household on-site sanitation systems, prioritizing improvements for vulnerable households and households headed by women. The infrastructure will service existing properties, with allowance for growth over the next 40 years. Conditional Contribution Addressing household cesspits The scope of the NSRUDP does not include household level components of the sanitation system. While the regulatory improvements, including new building codes, and capacity building under the project will deliver long-term benefits in this area, the Government must still address the immediate public health and environmental problem of leaking cesspits and septic tanks. The Government is installing new twin-chamber septic tanks as funding permits, primarily through SPC initiatives. A total of 40 household septic tanks have been installed over the past two fiscal years, and the Government intends to install another twelve. This ad hoc approach is not ideal, and more sustainable funding for an easily deployed technology would allow us to significantly strengthen the resilience of our public health and water system, as well as the natural environment, to the negative impacts of climate change. Adaptation Co-Benefits Mitigation Co-Benefits  Improved resilience by better protection of  Reduced emissions from need to pump and truck groundwater supplies and local environment sewage  Increased use of groundwater will reduce demand for water from electricity intensive RO plants SDGs Advanced by Nauru’s NDC to Establish Effective Sewage Treatment Good health and well-being is enhanced by providing Water security will be increased by providing a clean, tested water to reduce the incidence of water modern and reliable water delivery and sewerage borne and water contamination related illness and by system, by eliminating the discharge of untreated eliminating sewage discharge into ground water supplies. household waste water and by improving water use efficiency. Climate action will be enhanced by strengthening Life below water will be enhanced by treating sewage resilience and adaptive capacity to climate related appropriately before discharge into groundwater, changes to rain patterns. lagoons and the ocean. Life on land will be improved by reducing the discharge Durable partnerships and access to adequate of sewage into inland freshwater ecosystems. means of implementation will be required to implement these contributions. 7. GOVERNANCE Institutional and Governance Arrangements to Support Implementation of Climate Priorities Responding and adapting to climate change and its impacts requires a whole-of-Government approach and necessitates the involvement of all Ministries and Departments. An effective response to climate change will require strong leadership and coordination within the Government supported by effective legal and policy frameworks. Nauru has taken important steps to put in place the necessary institutional and governance structures to more effectively address climate change. In 2020 Nauru adopted the Environmental Management and Climate Change Act which centralizes and codifies authority with the Minister and Department responsible for environment and climate change matters to manage and protect the environment of the Republic of Nauru, promote sustainable development and facilitate compliance with Nauru’s international and regional environment related obligations. Notably the Environmental Management and Climate Change Act includes the establishment of the Climate Change and Environmental Protection Fund for, inter alia: (a) the protection and conservation of the reef and foreshore; (b) the preservation and protection of flora and fauna; (c) the prevention of coastal erosion and maintenance of high-water mark; (d) food security; (e) health; (f) soil conservation; (g) critical environmental restoration activities; (h) the management of sensitive and fragile ecosystems; and (i) the protection from pollution of and removal of pollution from land, water and air.30 The Climate Change and Environmental Protection Fund is supported by grants, donations or contributions from international organisations, special appropriations from the Government, and environment-related levies or taxes, and will play a crucial in supporting the implementation of Nauru’s climate objectives and projects, many of which are enumerated in this updated NDC. Nauru has also begun developing its National Adaptation Plan (NAP), which is scheduled to be completed for submission to the UNFCCC by the end of 2025. The NAP process enables Nauru to undertake mid and long-term climate adaptation planning. The NAP process supports the integration of climate change adaptation considerations into development planning and will identify areas where further climate change-related adaptation projects and programmes may need to be undertaken. Implementation Status of Existing Contributions regarding Governance Status Contribution ACHIEVED Adopt Nauru Climate Change Policy (2030) Prepare and approve the Strategic Plan for the Sustainable Development of ACHIEVED Agriculture (2030) FINALIZING REGULATIONS Prepare and approve the National Coastal Fisheries Management Plan (2030) ENHANCING Prepare and approve the National Aquaculture Plan 30 Unconditional Contribution Adopt Nauru Climate Change Policy The Nauru Climate Change Policy was adopted in 2020, completing this contribution under the previous update to the NDC. The Policy provides an overarching framework that brings together existing policies to guide action on climate change adaptation, mitigation, disaster risk reduction, education and advocacy in Nauru. It is framed in the context of the Government’s overriding priority to eradicate poverty and to improve the safety, security and quality of life of our citizens. Successful implementation requires collaboration across Government, Government Controlled Enterprises, State Owned Enterprises, non-governmental and civil society organisations, religious institutions, the private sector, and the people of Nauru. The policy formally establishes the Department of Climate Change and National Resilience as the Government authority responsible for overseeing the implementation and priority setting of Nauru’s response to climate change. Consistent with this updated NDC, the policy emphasizes the importance of building and protecting climate resilient infrastructure in key sectors, the country’s main climate change adaptation challenge. Increasing food security through increased domestic production is another priority that deserves highlighting. The policy also affirms Nauru’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with international its obligations, primarily through the accelerated deployment of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy conservation. Unconditional Contribution Prepare and approve the Strategic Plan for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture The Government of Nauru has finalized and adopted what is now known as the Nauru Agricultural Sector Strategy 2024-2034. The strategy is based on a set of core principles, namely:  Resource use efficiency,  Natural resource conservation and enhancement,  Agriculture as viable livelihoods,  Enhanced resilience of communities and ecosystems, and  Responsible and effective governance mechanisms. Agriculture is identified as a key national sector development, with a view to contributing to the national income, diversifying the food supply, sourcing raw materials, and employment opportunities. The strategy includes a comprehensive analysis of the major barriers to agricultural production in Nauru, as well as options for overcoming them. The Strategy was the result of an extensive stakeholder participatory consultation process. Unconditional Contribution Prepare and approve the National Coastal Fisheries Management Plan The Government of Nauru committed to prepare a National Coastal Fisheries Management Plan in accordance with the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2020. The objectives of the Act include the preservation, protection and development of coastal fisheries waters, ensuring the sustainability of coastal fisheries waters to protect livelihoods and enhance food security.31 This Plan will be implemented through the adoption of the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Regulations, which are in the final stages of drafting. This bill sets out a detailed consultative process for delineation of community fisheries management areas, along with regulations for the use of these areas. This includes clear licensing and enforcement provisions. The Nauru Fisheries and Marine Resources Authority (NFMRA) is already conducting community consultations to

31 Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2020. develop community-based fisheries management plans for delineated areas, which will then be locked in under the regulations. This bottom-up process to finalize the regulations will strengthen the uptake and compliance of local communities. Unconditional Contribution Prepare and approve the National Aquaculture Plan The Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2020 also includes the commitment to prepare a National Aquaculture Plan. In order to effectuate this commitment, the Government successfully applied in partnership with SPC for funding from the Adaptation Fund. The Resilient Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture in Nauru Project was approved in March 2023, securing approximately USD 8 million in total funding, which officially commenced on 8 April 2025. Among various institutional and physical improvements to the aquaculture sector in Nauru, the project will provide recommendations and support to the NFMRA to develop a roadmap for the implementation of aquaculture provisions of the Act, including a comprehensive National Aquaculture Development Plan. The project is scheduled to complete its work in 2028.32 New Contributions regarding Governance Status Contribution NEW Capitalise the Nauru Climate Change and Environment Protection Fund (2030) Conditional Contribution Capitalise the Nauru Climate Change and Environment Protection Fund The Climate Change and Environment Protection Fund was established under the Environmental Management and Climate Change Act 2020, the purpose of which was elaborated later in a set of regulations as threefold: a) Improving resilience to climate change through adaptation and mitigation measures; and b) Increasing uptake of renewable energy; and c) Ensuring climate change information is available to end-users.33 Further information is available about the Fund in its Guidelines.34 The fund is intended to play a critical role in funding climate action in Nauru in a manner that facilitates effective and streamlined cooperation with international development partners, while also ensuring accountability and strong national ownership over all projects. It seeks to raise new funding from international development partners to establish the fund as an important domestic source for small adaptation and mitigation projects, with an initial goal of reaching USD 10 million by 2030. Adaptation Co-Benefits Mitigation Co-Benefits  Improved coordination of Government Ministries in  Improved coordination of Government Ministries in adaptation actions mitigation actions  Increased effectiveness of implementation efforts  Increased effectiveness of implementation efforts

32 Proposal for the Resilient Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture in Nauru Project, Adaptation Fund Board, 2023.

33 Climate Change and Environment Fund Regulations.

34 Guidelines for the Climate Change and Environment Protection Fund. SDGs Advanced by Nauru’s NDC to Establish Stronger Institutional and Governance Arrangements Strong and transparent governance and institutions Improved governance and institutions could encourage will ensure women’s full and effective participation and increased official development assistance and foreign equal opportunities in the consultation and decision- direct investment to Nauru, a country with great need of making process, which will also translate into greater support from partners to successfully implement its national educational and economic opportunities for women as a plans and programming. part of Nauru’s sustainable and low-carbon future. Strong governance and institutions for climate Successful adoption and implementation of Nauru’s change and sustainable development are important Climate Change Bill and Policy would ensure for the successful implementation of Nauru’s climate accountability and transparency, as well as to ensure objectives, as well as to build domestic and international inclusive and representative consultation and decision- confidence in Nauru’s institutions. making processes. Stronger governance will establish institutions capable of implementing and enforcing climate policies and frameworks. Strong and transparent governance and institutions will support Nauru’s efforts to build durable partnerships, increase access to adequate means of implementation and encourage technology transfer and capacity support to Nauru. 8. LOSS & DAMAGE National Preparedness for Climate Change Loss & Damage The world has thus far failed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions at a rate capable of delivering a reasonable chance to limit the rise in average global temperatures to less than 1.5°C. This dramatically increases the risk that Nauru will experience significant loss and damage from the negative impacts of climate change. Like all SIDS and other particularly vulnerable developing countries, Nauru will require a fully-funded international mechanism to address the climate change impacts that can no longer be avoided and result in loss and damage, including loss of economic opportunities, regression in development indicators, loss of natural ecosystems and ecosystem services, and loss of secure, habitable land. The Government of Nauru welcomes the recent decision of the Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC to create a Loss and Damage Fund. The International Mechanism and the Fund must have sufficient capacity and funding to assist particularly vulnerable developing countries in assessing the risks that result in loss and damage, quantify the potential extent such the loss and damage, and assist with damage reduction and risk mitigation measures, and with funding of remedial measures if and when such loss and damage occurs. The kinds of impacts that this loss and damage framework must address are set out in decision 3/CP.18, namely impacts from extreme weather events and slow onset events, and should also include non-economic losses and damages, migration, displacement and human mobility. Implementation Existing Contributions regarding Loss and Damage Status Contribution INTEGRATED Conduct a national long-term risk assessment on climate change loss and damage in INTO NEW CONTRIBUTION Nauru (2030) Conditional Contribution Conduct a national long-term risk assessment on climate change loss and damage Nauru’s previous contribution regarding its national efforts to address loss and damage was to conduct a long-term risk assessment (LTRA), which should include:  Quantification of the specific risks of loss and damage under different temperature scenarios from both sudden and slow onset events;  Timing at which these risks are may be experienced;  Economic and social costs of such impacts associated risks, including preparation and maintenance of inventories of national assets at risk;  Non-economic losses and damages; and  Options available and under development to manage, transfer, and share risks, as well as for recovery. Nauru has been unable to obtain the financial and technical support necessary to conduct such a LTRA. Nonetheless, due to the importance of this particular issue, Nauru is strengthening this contribution as part of this updated NDC (see below). New Contributions regarding Loss and Damage Status Contribution NEW Develop a national loss and damage policy framework (2035) Assess the potential loss and damage to Government revenue from the sale of NEW fishing rights and livelihood of the Nauruan people due to climate change impacts on tuna migration patterns (2035) Conditional Contribution Develop loss and damage policy framework As described above, Nauru’s previous contribution in the area of loss and damage was to conduct a LTRA. Given the increasing severity of the climate crisis, that contribution is no longer sufficient to meet Nauru’s needs. Therefore, Nauru intends to develop a comprehensive loss and damage policy framework. In addition to the LTRA, this policy framework will also establish the institutional capacity to monitor and track loss and damage, as well as to access loss and damage funding mechanisms currently being developed internationally and regionally. Achieving this contribution will require financial and technical support from international development partners. Conditional Contribution Assess potential loss and damage to fisheries revenue The sale of fishing rights under the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) Vessel Days Scheme (VDS) provides a very significant source of revenue to the Government and livelihood of the Nauruan people. Projections on climate change impacts in the Pacific conclude that tuna migration patterns will change in a manner that negatively impacts this important revenue and livelihood source due to a shift of the tropical convergence zone further east. Other potential negative impacts that have the potential to affect fisheries revenue include:  Ocean acidification,  Increase in sea surface temperature,  Sea level rise, and  Higher rainfall. These can all be expected to have a significant impact on residents. Nauru is seeking technical support that will complement the GCF-funded Regional Tuna Project to assess the impact such changes in the migration of tuna will have on revenue and livelihoods, in order to enable proper planning, including diversification strategies and engagement of the International Mechanism and Loss and Damage Fund. SDGs Advanced by Nauru’s NDC to Conduct a National Long-Term Risk Assessment Climate action will be enhanced by fostering a more Durable partnerships and access to adequate detailed and comprehensive understanding of the risks means of implementation, particularly through associated with climate change, as well as the options cooperation under the Warsaw International available for mitigating those risks. Mechanism, will be required for implementation.