20 2020 Insights ON NDCs IN
ABOUT THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME UNDP works in 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Cover photo: ©UNDP Mali
“It is one thing to press countries to raise their ambition, but we need to also consider how they will do that. Through the Climate Promise, UNDP walks by the side of countries in aiming high and acting on their climate responsibilities. Our planet – our shared home – depends on it.” Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, September 18, 2019
INTRODUCTION Five years ago in Paris, 197 countries came together to agree on a common set of goals and principles to curb global greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change head on. It was a landmark agreement in which parties agreed to keep global temperature rise this century to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels – and to pursue efforts to limit the rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius – while also increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change and ensuring that finance flows to those that need it most. With countries having different circumstances, resources and abilities, it was collectively decided that each determine their own climate pledges, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs ). Every five years, countries are expected to revise them, raising ambition towards realizing the universal agreement. Fast forward and UNDP’s Climate Promise has been working with 115 countries to enhance their NDCs in 2020. Throughout 2020, a number of positive trends have emerged. Growing momentum towards net-zero emissions. Increasing emphasis on adaptation. More women and youth at the table. Here we highlight the top 20 insights on NDCs in 2020. The stakes are high. But we have reasons for optimism. 3
AT A GLANCE
UNDP’s Climate Promise is the world’s largest global offer on NDC enhancement, currently supporting 115 countries, in collaboration with over 35 partners and as a contribution to the NDC Partnership. The portfolio includes 37 LDCs1, 28 SIDS, 14 higher-emitters,2 and 42 fragile states3.
115 countries
28
Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
14
high-emitters
35+
42
fragile states
37
Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
partners
1 Vanuatu graduated from LDC status on 3 December 2020 2 Higher emitters comprise the top 30 countries with shares of greenhouse gas emissions higher than 0.5 percent of the global total. 3 Based on OECD States of Fragility 2020, which categorizes 57 countries as fragile based on five dimensions (economic, environmental, political, security and societal). Among these countries, 13 are considered extremely fragile. Nine of them are Climate Promise countries.
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UNDP’s Climate Promise The science is clear: countries have a short window of time to take the urgent action necessary to limit global temperature rise to a safe 1.5°C. Global warming is already causing long-lasting changes to our climate system, and threatens lives and livelihoods around the world. The Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous future for all. To meet this urgent challenge, UNDP launched our Climate Promise at the UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019. The Climate Promise supports countries to enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Delivered in collaboration with a wide variety of partners, it is the world’s largest offer of support for the enhancement of climate pledges. While climate change poses a risk for everyone and threatens to roll back decades of sustainable development gains, the poorest, most marginalized and vulnerable populations are disproportionately burdened. UNDP advocates for an inclusive approach that supports whole-of-society ownership, advances equality and social justice, and strengthens social and environmental sustainability. UNDP is leveraging its extensive climate change portfolio, its Country Office network and global policy services to provide technical support to countries and ensure that NDCs are fully aligned with national sustainable development priorities. The five service lines defined under UNDP’s Climate Promise respond to major areas of demand from developing countries and are being tailored and scaled up for maximum impact.
Delivering in partnership With support from Sweden, Germany, the European Union, Italy, Spain, and others, UNDP ensures its NDC enhancement support is complementary to, and leverages the mandates, comparative advantages and skillsets of a wide range of strategic partners. Leveraging the NDC Partnership and UNDP’s longstanding network, UNDP also collaborates with over 35 key partners to deliver support to countries, including for example, IRENA on renewable energy, UN Environment on energy, naturebased solutions and resource efficiency, FAO on agriculture and land-use, and GIZ on energy, MRV, adaptation and other thematic areas, as well as a global roster of climate change experts. 5
Going for a green recovery Despite challenges wrought by COVID-19, and setbacks to NDC submission timelines, more than half of Climate Promise countries are linking NDC enhancement with green recovery, in line with the UN Secretary General’s ‘Recover Better’ principles.
Higher emitters must move first and furthest Moving the needle on the climate crisis starts in countries with the greatest carbon footprints, some of which are championing more ambitious emissions cuts.
Raising mitigation ambition – Race to Zero More countries are committing to ambitious mitigation targets and reaching net-zero emissions.
Committing to gender equality everywhere To be effective and just, climate action must build on and advance gender equality. Under UNDP’s Climate Promise, 98 percent of countries are starting to make good on that promise.
Finding solutions in nature Solving the climate crisis requires working with nature, not against it. More than half of UNDP Climate Promise countries are incorporating nature-based solutions in their NDCs.
Finding the finance to translate plans into actions NDC financing strategies translate national climate pledges into concrete action.
Cooperation: it all comes down to mutual good Cooperation can help meet emissions reduction goals, such as through international carbon markets. Many developing countries are seeking these options to unlock finance for social and environmental gains.
Local action, global impact Climate action will succeed or fail at the local level. National and local collaboration around NDCs are gaining ground.
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20 Steering a just transition, built on green jobs Green jobs lay the foundation for a just transition and green recovery to the COVID-19 crisis.
A long-term vision guides action, step by step In the race to net-zero emissions, countries are using NDCs and the enhancement process as stepping stones to their longterm visions.
Raising adaptation ambition – Race to Resilience Almost all UNDP Climate Promise countries intend to step up adaptation measures in their NDCs.
Engaging young people to claim their future Youth everywhere are demanding meaningful action on climate change. Three quarters of UNDP Climate Promise countries are listening.
INSIGHTS ON NDCS IN 2020 Rights and justice will determine climate ambition
Small in size and economic might, but big in climate ambition Small Island Developing States and the Least Developed Countries have made negligible contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. But they are now leading the world in climate action and advocacy.
Amping up energy transformation Switching to low-carbon, renewable energy is at the heart of climate action. Among Climate Promise countries, 79 percent are updating or adding energy-related actions in their NDCs.
Embracing the circular economy Circular economy approaches can take countries closer to both NDC mitigation and adaptation targets.
Mobilizing businesses to drive decarbonization Private companies increasingly see the risks of climate change. UNDP Climate Promise countries are engaging with businesses, large and small, to redirect their investments into resilient, green growth.
Making peace through climate solutions
NDC enhancement is an opportunity to identify and promote solutions tackling injustice.
Climate action helps advance and sustain peace in fragile and conflict-affected countries.
Monitoring keeps climate action on track
Stronger together: linking partners to meet country needs
Understanding whether or not climate action is working requires close checking of progress and impacts.
The Climate Promise is being delivered in close collaboration with over 35 key strategic partners.
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1.
GOING FOR A GREEN RECOVERY
Despite challenges wrought by COVID-19, and setbacks to NDC submission timelines, more than half of Climate Promise countries are linking NDC enhancement with green recovery, in line with the UN Secretary-General’s Recover Better principles. The onset of COVID-19 posed challenges to many countries in enhancing their NDCs. Resources were short; in-person consultations limited. But UNDP’s Climate Promise has helped countries keep NDC processes on track. Many NDCs offer a wealth of ready-made strategies to guide a green path to recovery. Half of the 115 Climate Promise countries have now made explicit links between NDC processes and a green recovery, such as through investing in green jobs to help kickstart the economy. Costa Rica is supporting the integration of current COVID-19 economic conditions into the National Decarbonization Plan, which will inform NDC enhancement, and help identify how NDC implementation could advance COVID-19 economic recovery. Rwanda has developed greening guidelines to support small and medium businesses in using COVID-19 recovery funds. Ten countries are explicitly aligning financial strategies for green recovery and NDC enhancement. Thailand is assessing fiscal incentives for climate action, such as a carbon tax, that could also advance economic recovery. Malaysia is conducting macroeconomic modelling to define green economy measures in its next national development plan, looking at a careful interplay between emissions reduction targets, GDP and jobs.
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30%
15%
11%
Investing in green jobs
Working together
Leaving no one behind
2%
1%
No countries to date examining bailout for polluting industries
Integrating climate across decision-making
End fossil-fuel subsidies
ŠUNDP South Sudan
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2. RAISING MITIGATION AMBITION RACE TO ZERO
More countries are committing to ambitious mitigation targets and reaching net-zero emissions.
To put the brakes on the climate crisis, we must urgently slow greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for carbon neutrality as soon as possible. The good news? A growing number of Climate Promise countries plan to increase emission reduction targets in their NDC, despite the COVID-19 crisis. As of November, over 70 percent of countries indicated they are likely to raise the bar, compared to just over 50 percent at the onset of the pandemic. Altogether, the 115 UNDP Climate Promise countries emit 22.5 percent of global greenhouse gases.4 This includes 14 countries considered higher emitters.5 By the end of November, nine Climate Promise countries had submitted revised NDCs to the UNFCCC. Seven increased mitigation ambition, including through more stringent mitigation cuts (Chile, Ecuador6, Grenada, Moldova, Mongolia, Rwanda and Suriname). Thailand reaffirmed existing targets and provided more clarity on how they will achieve these and track progress along the way. At the same time, while Vietnam’s targets may not necessarily represent a significant increase in ambition, it has expanded sectoral scope and measures and is more robust.
4 CAIT, 2016. 5 Higher emitters comprise the top 30 countries with shares of greenhouse emissions higher than 0.5 percent of the global total. 6 Submitted first NDC but considered more ambitious
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ŠUNDP Moldova
Mitigation Ambition: All Climate Promise Countries Mitigation Ambition: updated NDC aims to achieve greater GHG reductions by either increasing previously stated target(s) and/or by expanding to new sectors or actions that help achieve higher emission reduction targets.
10% Unlikley/ no
1% Not submitting
17% Unclear/ No information
72% Likely/ yes
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3. RAISING ADAPTATION AMBITION RACE TO RESILIENCE
Almost all UNDP Climate Promise countries intend to step up adaptation measures in their NDCs.
While about three-fourths of all countries spotlighted adaptation in their first NDCs, 97 percent of Climate Promise countries plan to strengthen adaptation in their revised NDCs. Among the nine Climate Promise countries that have already submitted enhanced NDCs, all extended the adaptation component by adding new sectors, targets and actions. Many are looking to aligning efforts with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Adaptation has received far less in terms of resources and attention than mitigation. Yet climate change impacts continue to spread and exacerbate disaster events, with the harshest consequences for people with the most limited room to protect themselves. Gathering momentum could put adaptation where it needs to be: at the top of international and national agendas. Plans must move to concrete actions, on a large scale and at a fast pace so the most vulnerable people can develop adaptive capacities and build long-term resilience to the risks they face.
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Adaptation Ambition: All Climate Promise Countries Adaptation ambition is complex to measure and assess compared to mitigation ambition as there is no globally agreed indicator. Based on UNDP’s experience, adaptation ambition means the updated NDC has clear adaptation objectives or goals, expanding scope, geo-coverage and sectors as well as has quantitative or qualitative targets on adaptation.
2%
1%
Unclear/ No information
Not submitting
97% Likely/ yes
ŠAlex Ray / UNDP Timor-Leste
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4. SMALL IN SIZE AND ECONOMIC MIGHT, BUT BIG IN CLIMATE AMBITION
Small Island Developing States and the Least Developed Countries have made negligible contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. But they are now leading the world in climate action and advocacy.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are among the most vulnerable to climate threats, which could literally sweep them into the sea. They are also among the most vibrant and powerful advocates for climate action. In fact, five SIDS were among the first countries to officially submit their enhanced NDCs. UNDP’s Climate Promise supports 28 of these nations. They have offered some of the most ambitious and comprehensive workplans for both mitigation and adaptation. More than 80 percent plan to increase mitigation ambition and 97 percent to raise adaptation ambition. Antigua and Barbuda’s revised NDC intends to define clearer targets for adaptation in critical sectors, such as energy, transportation, waste and water. One measure already being taken is a review of existing insurance products to develop more inclusive schemes accessible to vulnerable groups, especially women farmers and fishers facing climate-induced disasters. Through its
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NDC enhancement, Niue intends to increase the use of renewable energy to 80% by 2020 and raise mitigation ambition, while at the same time increasing adaptation action for coastline protection and marine protected areas. Least Developed Countries (LDCs) have also been clear on intentions to increase ambition, with 80 percent planning to increase mitigation commitments. All countries seek scaled-up adaptation, given often acute levels of vulnerability, which in many cases requires external finance. Rwanda was the first African country and LDC to submit a more ambitious NDC. It committed to a 38 percent reduction in emissions by 2030, and amplified adaptation in human settlements, health, transport and mining. The NDC features sector-specific implementation plans, costing and funding mechanisms, and links with the SDGs. Benin plans a revised NDC that emphasizes nature-based solutions and private sector involvement in adaptation.
©UNDP Maldives
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5. HIGHER EMITTERS MUST MOVE FIRST AND FURTHEST
Moving the needle on the climate crisis starts in countries with the greater carbon footprints, some of which are championing more ambitious emissions cuts.
UNDP’s Climate Promise works with 14 of the top 30 higher-emitters countries, those with a share higher than .5 percent of the global total.7 Together, they are responsible for nearly 14 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions. Almost all of these countries plan to enhance adaptation yet only less than half intend to increase mitigation ambition. For those that aspire to increase its mitigation ambition, they have moved towards achieving existing mitigation targets, despite the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, by bringing together people who can speed up progress, bolstering institutions that oversee the process and identifying options to increase targets. Nigeria plans to build stronger societal ownership and expand its NDC to include water use and management, short-lived climate pollutants and nature-based solutions. Argentina is strengthening institutions, improving data and monitoring systems, steering scaled-up finance and investment, and aligning mitigation measures with the SDGs.
7 CAIT, 2016.
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©UNDP Iraq • • • ©UNDP Nigeria • • •
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6. COMMITTING TO GENDER EQUALITY EVERYWHERE
To be effective and just, climate action must build on and advance gender equality. Under UNDP’s Climate Promise, 98 percent of countries are starting to make good on that promise.
Effective climate action builds on gender equality, as affirmed in the Paris Agreement. Women play major roles in making changes necessary for a more sustainable world, and have a right to lead and participate in the transition. NDC enhancement offers a unique opportunity to integrate scaled-up plans to realize gender equality in all arenas. Through the Climate Promise, as of November 2020, 113 countries are working to strengthen gender in their NDCs, from governance to participation to finance. The difference is already evident. Chile’s latest NDC, for instance, includes a ‘Social Pillar of Just Transition Sustainable Development’ with eight criteria, one of which is gender equality. This will put gender front and centre in NDC implementation and monitoring. Read about building rural women’s climate resilience in the wake of COVID-19: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
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©Kibae Park / UN
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7.
ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE TO CLAIM THEIR FUTURE
Youth everywhere are demanding meaningful action on climate change. Three quarters of UNDP Climate Promise countries are listening.
Decisions on climate change will affect generations to come. Yet young people were largely ignored in earlier NDCs: only 40 percent even referred to children or youth. But that’s changing. Among Climate Promise countries, 75 percent now prioritize youth in their enhanced NDCs, primarily through proactive consultations, awarenessraising and advocacy campaigns. Mission 1.5 is empowering youth to inform climate change decision-making. In Nigeria, the Department of Climate Change consulted with youth on the main axes of the new NDC, using tools developed by UNDP. Youth working groups were subsequently established to provide regular inputs on various priority concerns. They have already proposed steps in agriculture, energy, oil and gas, industry, gender and equitable access to resources.
ŠUNDP Democratic Republic of the Congo
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©UNDP Peru
8. AMPING UP ENERGY TRANSFORMATION
Switching to low-carbon, renewable energy is at the heart of climate action. Among Climate Promise countries, 79 percent are updating or adding energy-related actions in their NDCs.
Human energy consumption pumps out 73 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. So it’s not surprising that of 194 NDCs first submitted under the Paris Agreement, 145 emphasized renewable energy, while 109 offered quantified targets, and 53 promised greater energy efficiency. Through UNDP’s Climate Promise, 91 countries are now updating or adding energy-related actions and/or targets to enhanced NDCs. In
Thailand, a Private Sector Climate Expenditure and Institutional Review aims to help beef up the role of financial institutions in investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Lebanon assessed capital investment and economic planning with an eye on pursuing measures that are low-carbon and climate-resilient, and identifying investment opportunities for greater emissions mitigation. The Ministry of Electricity has already established a new renewable energy target. 21
9. FINDING SOLUTIONS IN NATURE
Solving the climate crisis requires working with nature, not against it. More than half of UNDP Climate Promise countries are incorporating nature-based solutions in their NDCs.
Did you know? A third of emissions cuts needed through 2030 could come from ‘nature-based solutions’ — like improving the management of forests, wetlands and other ecosystems, and practicing sustainable agriculture. Many such solutions also make communities more productive and resilient. Among first-generation NDCs, 83 percent mentioned land use and forestry in mitigation targets; yet only 26 percent spelled out quantitative targets, making it hard to measure progress. Through UNDP’s Climate Promise, countries are making stronger references to nature-based solutions in enhanced NDCs. Take forestry, for example. Nigeria is adding more robust targets for managing its forests, while Zimbabwe is aligning its NDC and forest policy. Bolivia, Ecuador, Honduras and Paraguay are exploring carbon market options for forestry. Cambodia is costing the National REDD+ Action Investment Plan as a first step towards reducing emissions from deforestation and land degradation.
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©UNDP Madagascar
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10. EMBRACING THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Circular economy approaches can take countries closer to both NDC mitigation and adaptation targets.
Circular economies reduce, reuse and recycle, aiming for minimal waste and the regeneration
jobs and economic value, increase food security, and reduce emissions, waste and primary resource
of natural systems. Such an approach, integrated in national climate action and COVID-19 recovery efforts, can help meet global climate targets and the SDGs. Through UNDP’s Climate Promise, several countries are embedding this into their NDCs, and headed in a circular direction.
extraction. Vanuatu has become the first Small Island Developing State to incorporate circular economy considerations in its revised NDC.
Eswatini, The Gambia, Kenya, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Uganda and Vanuatu are all considering circular economy strategies to reboot their economies in the wake of the pandemic. Such measures can achieve multiple ends. They create
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The NDC process has encouraged some countries to use circular initiatives to combat marine plastic pollution. Costa Rica now recovers plastic waste from the ocean and supplies it to fishing communities whose livelihoods are threatened by the pandemic, overfishing and climate-related impacts. They fashion it into high-value products to earn an income while restoring local ecosystems.
11. FINDING THE FINANCE TO TRANSLATE PLANS INTO ACTIONS
NDC financing strategies translate national climate pledges into concrete action.
Climate finance is a core consideration for NDC enhancement, determining whether a
A variety of countries are developing financing strategies mapping public and private funding.
plan remains a plan or is translated into action. Under UNDP’s Climate Promise, 96 countries are working on climate finance and investment related activities. Several are conducting costing assessments, such as Belarus and Vanuatu, which are looking at broad investments, including from the private sector. Cambodia is assessing costs and investment needs for early warning systems and disaster risk reduction, including examining the cost of inaction leading to climate consequences.
These are geared towards both specific sectors, such as Ecuador on protected areas and REDD+, as well as entire NDCs, such as in the Cook Islands, Niue and Tonga. Complementary assessments look at the economy-wide impacts of transitioning to a green economy or even taking a green recovery approach to the aftermath of the pandemic, as in Costa Rica, where recommendations will directly feed into the new NDC and decarbonization plan. A critical entry point for advancing climate finance through NDC enhancement is the global Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action. This Coalition spearheads collective action to mainstream climate change into economic policy, focusing on carbon pricing, macroeconomic and fiscal policies, public financial management, and engaging the private sector to achieve lowcarbon and climate-resilient growth. In line with these areas of emphasis, UNDP is supporting finance ministries in 14 countries to develop longterm visions for climate action, and helping nine countries establish carbon pricing measures.
ŠUNDP Iraq
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12. MOBILIZING BUSINESSES TO DRIVE DECARBONIZATION
Private companies increasingly see the risks of climate change. UNDP Climate Promise countries are engaging with businesses, large and small, to redirect their investments into resilient, green growth.
©Omer Sadaat / UNDP Afghanistan
While NDCs are led by governments, success largely depends on businesses and the financial industry stepping forward to drive decarbonization in their own operations – as many are already doing. Green bond issuance is up, and the case for green investments is growing. There is growing agreement on carbon prices and financial disclosure to shift global financing from nature negative to nature positive. Under UNDP’s Climate Promise, several countries have brought the private sector into NDC enhancement processes. Consultations to define 26
priority roles for businesses have taken place in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Iraq, Madagascar, Pakistan and the Philippines. Other countries have devised NDC-related training for firms, like in Ghana, or set up tools to identify NDC-linked business opportunities, as in Uganda. Other countries, such as Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Paraguay, the Philippines, Tunisia and Uganda have assessed the potential for private sector investment in delivering NDC targets. Lao People’s Democratic Republic is considering ways to reduce investment risks and encourage private finance.
13. COOPERATION: IT ALL COMES DOWN TO MUTUAL GOOD
Cooperation can help meet emissions reduction goals, such as through international carbon markets. Many developing countries are seeking these options to unlock finance for social and environmental gains.
The Paris Agreement, in Article 6, details how countries can share, exchange and trade emissions, and invest in activities to reduce them. Cooperative approaches can stimulate new flows of finance for mitigation and other measures yielding sustainable development benefits. This adds up to the ability to achieve more ambitious NDCs. For instance, the governments of Ghana and Switzerland signed a historic bilateral agreement to expand uptake of green and lowcarbon technology across Ghana, resulting in a plethora of social and environmental benefits. Private sector investment in Ghana’s National Clean Energy Access Programme will allow it to provide green technologies like improved cook stoves and solar PV installations to up to five million households. Other options could entail opening doors to commercial projects for national businesses to drive climate action.
ŠUNDP Hondurus
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14. STEERING A JUST TRANSITION, BUILT ON GREEN JOBS
Green jobs lay the foundation for a just transition and green recovery to the COVID-19 crisis.
Climate action, guided well, could be a source of millions of new jobs, including in renewable energy. But jobs may also be lost. A just transition to a green economy is one that would not leave people stranded on the sidelines without employment. It would support people in moving into new work, including green jobs. Over 30 UNDP Climate Promise countries have included green job investments in their COVID-19 recovery plans. Some, like Somalia, are investing in education and training to help people who have lost jobs during the pandemic restart employment in fields that decarbonize Improve energy and the economy. Countries are also conducting raw material efficiency employment impact assessments of their NDCs, such as in Nigeria and Zimbabwe. Measuring the effects of priority NDC Support measures on GDP, employment, skills, adaptation income distribution, inequality and to the effects of climate gender inequality yields important GREEN JOBS change insights to maximize job growth and HELP TO: minimize losses.
Protect and restore ecosystems
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Limit greenhouse gas emissions
Minimize waste and pollution
ŠUNDP Nigeria
15. RIGHTS AND JUSTICE WILL DETERMINE CLIMATE AMBITION
NDC enhancement is an opportunity to identify and promote solutions tackling injustice.
Reaching ambitious climate goals will not be possible without tackling systemic root causes and issues of injustice and exclusion. Furthermore, the transition to greener economies must be just, leaving no one behind. Towards these ends, human rights principles must be woven throughout NDCs; yet in their first-generation NDCs, 24 countries mentioned human rights; 19 are part of the Climate Promise.7
7 According to the Center for International Environmental Law.
A rights-based approach is also contingent on fair and inclusive decision-making. Through the Climate Promise, 75 countries have dedicated activities to promote whole-of-society engagement in NDC enhancement. Youth empowerment and gender-responsiveness are constant themes across a majority of countries, and 13 countries have explicitly stressed close links with local communities and/or indigenous peoples. Moving forward, UNDP will continue to advocate for climate justice and the UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action on Human Rights. 29
16. MAKING PEACE THROUGH CLIMATE SOLUTIONS
Climate action helps advance and sustain peace in fragile and conflict-affected countries.
Conflict and insecurity not only increase vulnerability to climate change, but also obstruct climate action. NDCs in affected countries open an important space for developing specific climate measures that can help advance and sustain peace. Of the 115 UNDP Climate Promise countries, 42 are fragile states, which 9 are considered extremely fragile. Experiences with NDCs in these countries highlight a number of lessons. Choosing renewable energy sources and clean technologies in post-conflict reconstruction, for instance, strengthens resilience and avoids costlier efforts to retrofit green solutions at a later stage. Profound pressure on natural resources during economic recovery may require concerted emphasis on issues such as reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. A new UNDP study, with contributions from the UNFCCC, examines all first-round NDCs and presents a typology of how countries have tackled climate-related security risks. UNDP is using the knowledge gained to further inform NDC enhancement in fragile and conflictaffected countries. This is a particular priority in the Arab region where countries face converging impacts from conflict, climate and COVID-19 pandemic. UNDP is supporting countries in the region to leverage NDC enhancement processes as means to addressing these crises. For instance, in Iraq, following years of conflicts, they are enhancing the NDC in a way that brings forth benefits of green solutions and climate resilience for overall stabilization and recovery.
ŠUNDP Somalia
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UNDP (2020). A typology of climate-related security risks in the first round NDCs
Climate security in the first Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
1
Climate change as a security issue
2
Climate change exacerbating extant conflict dynamics
3
Lack of security as an obstacle to climate action
4
Co-benefits of adaptation and mitigation for preventing conflict and sustaining peace
5
Measures to integrate climate and security considerations
6
Subregional and cross-border impacts
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17. LOCAL ACTION, GLOBAL IMPACT
Climate action will succeed or fail at the local level. National and local collaboration around NDCs are gaining ground.
Subnational regions, cities and even small communities all have vital roles in accelerating the transition to resilient and sustainable development, and countries have used NDC revisions to work more closely with them. Last year, less than half of countries had integrated NDC commitments and targets into subnational development plans or budgets. But attention and collaboration have taken off since then. Argentina has established a formal group under its National Climate Change Cabinet to coordinate with provinces and municipalities. Sri Lanka is revising urban planning policies to gauge climate risks and mitigation potential. Colombia is exploring how to accelerate regional climate plans, reflect their efforts in the revised NDC and embed NDC targets into regional budgets. A growing number of mitigation and adaptation actions are also rolling out in cities. Mauritius is reviewing emission reduction potentials from combining a metro-express and e-mobility options; Thailand is emphasizing sustainable urban waste and transport systems in four cities; and Liberia is calculating the mitigation potential of new green corridors in urban areas. Indonesia issued its third green sukuk bond for $750 billion to finance green buildings and sustainable transport.
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ŠUNDP Bhutan
18. A LONG-TERM VISION GUIDES ACTION, STEP BY STEP
In the race to net-zero emissions, countries are using NDCs and the enhancement process as stepping stones to their long-term visions.
The Paris Agreement asks countries to set a long-term vision for lowering emissions by mid-century, with the science demonstrating the need to reach net-zero by 2050. But the world cannot wait to get started. Successive NDCs are vital in jumpstarting action right now and sustaining it over the coming years. At the same time, the vision can frame and guide priorities and targets in the NDCs and more broadly in national development plans. Globally, only 20 countries have submitted long-term strategies to date, four of which are Climate Promise countries (South Africa, Costa Rica, Benin and Mexico) but more are committed to doing so as they finalize NDC revisions. Seven additional UNDP Climate Promise countries are developing the strategies alongside NDC enhancement. In Colombia, a strategy has built on a series of technical studies that analysed required changes in technology, behaviour and public policies to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
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19. MONITORING KEEPS CLIMATE ACTION ON TRACK
Understanding whether or not climate action is working requires close checking of progress and impacts.
For many countries, an integral part of NDC enhancement involves strengthening data as well as monitoring, reporting and verification systems. These keep climate actions ambitious and on track, while informing future target setting. Several countries have adopted integrated digital systems to track mitigation and adaptation outcomes all the way down to individual projects, as well as to monitor and report on emissions by sector. Uganda includes reporting on private companies’ carbon footprints. As part of developing their revised NDCs, many countries are setting up solid systems to continuously and transparently monitor and report on climate action. They will then be able to detect both the challenges and successes in meeting national climate commitments. For example, among other elements, Bosnia and Herzegovina is designing data systems aligning NDC and SDG targets. Guatemala developed a monitoring and evaluation system for climate change adaptation in agriculture, landuse, marine coastal zones and more to support evidence-based decision-making around climate change (Read more here: Life on Land, Life Below Water).
ŠUNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina
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20. STRONGER TOGETHER: LINKING PARTNERS TO MEET COUNTRY NEEDS
UNDP’s Climate Promise is being delivered in close collaboration with over 35 key strategic partners. UNDP’s Climate Promise works with 35 partners dedicated to supporting governments with NDC revisions. Partners are active at the global level in supporting joint advocacy and knowledge sharing leveraging the NDC Partnership and UNDP’s longstanding networks.. Partners in-country support NDC enhancement processes directly. UN entities, regional development banks, regional intergovernmental bodies, international organizations, local and international civil society organizations and academic institutes are all involved. Joint actions support mitigation and adaptation across a range of areas. The most common are energy; adaptation; agriculture; forest and land use; monitoring, reporting and verification; transparency and investments. Joint advocacy draws in youth and women. It is important to note that NDC Partnership’s Climate Action Enhancement Package is helping match the country needs to the implementing partners to leverage comparative strengths and networks.
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