What are Nationally Determined Contributions and where do they come from?
The Paris Agreement changed the face of climate action.
The legally binding international agreement, adopted in 2015 by all 196 Parties to the UN Climate Convention in Paris, sets out universal global goals that all countries support. Most notably, these include ensuring that the rise in global average temperatures is held well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and making efforts to limit the rise to 1.5°C. It also includes goals to increase countries’ ability to adapt to climate impacts, and to make financial flows consistent with countries’ needs to achieve these goals.
The Paris Agreement represents a major shift in international climate negotiations, creating a universal, country-driven approach to achieving collective climate goals, while creating a framework for transparent global monitoring and reporting of progress.
One of the key instruments for achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement is the Nationally Determined Contribution (also known as NDC). These are national climate pledges that each Party must develop that articulate how they will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapting to their impacts.
NDCs are short- to medium-term targets and typically include measures for adaptation and mitigation actions and must be updated every five years. Each update must be more “ambitious”, so that it has a more stringent target and helps the world move closer to 1.5°C.
Do NDCs matter?
The short answer is yes, they do. Very important.
First, NDCs matter because they reinforce the global goals agreed under the Paris Agreement and demonstrate in concrete terms each country’s commitment to achieving them. They show how much each Party is committed to reducing its GHG emissions, when, and what actions they will take to achieve them. Taken collectively, NDCs can also show how close (or far) the world is to achieving our collective climate goals.
Next, NDCs matter because they represent a politically supported plan to invest in key areas that have the potential not only to meet climate goals but also to support sustainable development. For example, 100 percent of the NDCs supported by UNDP’s Climate Promise have energy targets or policies, and 90 percent cover the agriculture sector. Meeting these targets not only addresses the climate crisis but can also help meet development priorities – such as access to energy or food security.
As a result, NDCs can help governments prioritize action across sectors and align their policies and laws with climate goals. For example, Uganda and Nigeria enacted National Climate Change Acts in 2021, which give legal force to the Paris Agreement and their NDCs.
Third, NDCs are universal. They are mandatory for all countries – both developed and developing – and have been endorsed by the highest levels of government. So, if used correctly, NDCs can be a way for us to address the crises the world is facing today – not just the climate crisis, but also rising energy and food prices, insecurity and instability, migration, the Covid-19 pandemic, and so on.
What is the “ratchet mechanism”?
NDCs are meant to be updated over time. A central tenet of the Paris Agreement is that countries will “scale up” their plans—that is, increase their efforts every five years to reflect each Party’s “highest possible ambition” Ultimately, these revised and updated NDCs will mark milestones on the path to net zero emissions by 2050.
The first generation of NDCs was part of the initial adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015. The second generation is an initial update that will be implemented in 2020.
We’ve already seen the ratchet mechanism in action. The first generation of NDCs reflected an aggregate reduction in the global average temperature target to 3.7 degrees Celsius. By contrast, the second generation of NDCs lowers it to 2.7 degrees Celsius. While not nearly enough to fully meet the goal outlined in the Paris Agreement, it is a step in the right direction.
What’s next for the Paris Agreement and NDCs?
The coming years will continue to be pivotal for climate action.
At COP28, the world will witness the finalization and deliberation of the Global Stocktake (GST), which has been a 2-year process of collecting, collating, and synthesizing information on where the world is in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. The results will inform the first comprehensive assessment of progress made since the adoption of the Paris Agreement. This assessment, while providing a global picture, will be a game changer in understanding where we are collectively, what has been done, and what still needs to happen to achieve our global goals. It will also help inform the next round of country submissions of updated, more ambitious NDCs – due in 2025. The GST is a major milestone in our collective efforts to address climate change and signals an opportunity for renewed commitments to take action towards a sustainable future.
How can I do my part for the NDC?
Each of us has a role to play in making climate action a reality. While the NDC may seem broad and connected to complex global mechanisms, it ultimately consists of concrete actions taken by different sectors and communities, working together to achieve specific goals.
There are many opportunities to get involved around the world. In Kenya, authorities are calling for everyone to join the National Tree Planting and Restoration Campaign aimed at meeting the country’s climate goals. In Georgia, a Climathon is being organised to raise climate awareness and civil society organisations are now promoting innovative approaches among local communities. In Peru, the Ministry of Environment is launching a citizen awareness campaign to encourage organisations to measure, verify and reduce their carbon footprint.
In addition to government campaigns and initiatives, climate movements led by indigenous activists and youth have taken the lead in demanding action for climate justice and a zero-emissions future. If you want to get involved in this process, here are some suggestions:
Be an advocate. Stay informed on the latest developments and, when you feel ready, become an advocate for climate action. Educate yourself and help those around you become informed and engaged. In the lead-up to the Global Stocktake launch, join the conversation and contribute to the Paris Agreement.
Amplify voices. Find and follow climate scientists and climate advocates and indigenous peoples, especially in countries and communities most at risk, and help amplify their voices. Join their causes, and share their content with your networks.
Petition your elected officials. Remember that governments are accountable for their climate actions and NDCs, and it is your right to demand more action from them.
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