São Tomé and Príncipe's Nationally Determined Contribution NDC 3.0, 2025.

São Tomé and Príncipe’s NDC 3.0 reaffirms its commitment to the Paris Agreement and global climate goals, aiming to balance climate ambition with national development priorities. As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) with negligible global emissions but high vulnerability, the country sets a conditional target of 35.4% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared to the Business-as-Usual (BAU) scenario, using 2018 as the base year. This objective is anchored in a whole-of-economy approach that integrates mitigation, adaptation, and cross-cutting issues such as gender equality and social inclusion, ensuring resilience and sustainable development. The NDC prioritizes decarbonization of the energy and transport sectors, which account for the majority of national emissions. Key goals include raising the share of renewable energy in electricity generation from 4% in 2024 to at least 50% by 2035, reducing technical and commercial losses, and promoting energy efficiency through LED replacement and efficient appliances. Electric mobility is introduced as a strategic measure to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. Complementary actions in agriculture, forestry, and land use aim to preserve carbon sinks and restore 36,000 hectares of degraded landscapes, while waste management improvements and pilot projects in ocean thermal energy further support emission reductions.
Recognizing persistent climate risks, the NDC outlines 40 adaptation measures across critical sectors—agriculture, fisheries, water and sanitation (WASH), forestry, coastal zones, health, infrastructure, tourism, housing, and education. These measures include climate-smart irrigation, resilient agricultural infrastructure, aquaculture development, integrated watershed management, mangrove restoration, and climate-proof infrastructure for transport, health, and education. The plan also emphasizes disaster risk reduction through early warning systems and emergency centers, alongside biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection. Adaptation actions are designed to safeguard livelihoods, enhance food and water security, and reduce vulnerability to extreme events. The NDC’s success is conditional on predictable international support, including climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building. Estimated costs total USD 603.95 million by 2035—USD 189.7 million for mitigation and USD 414.25 million for adaptation. Implementation will be monitored through a National Transparency System aligned with the Enhanced Transparency Framework of the Paris Agreement, ensuring clarity and accountability. By linking climate action to poverty reduction, decent employment, and social inclusion, São Tomé and Príncipe positions its NDC as both an environmental and developmental strategy, transforming vulnerability into resilience and opportunity.