All About NDCs | United Nations Lecture Notes

What are NDCs?

• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs):
  • National climate action plans under the Paris Agreement.
  • Aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Target global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
  • Adapt to climate change impacts.
  • Updated every five years with higher ambition, considering each country's capacity.
  • Third round of NDCs due in 2025, targeting actions through 2035.
  • Consideration of the Global Stocktake for progress evaluation.

Current Commitments and Challenges

• Current commitments:
  • Fall short of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C.
  • Critical need for more ambitious NDCs.

Role of NDCs in Climate Crisis

• Mitigation and Adaptation:
  • Framework for action across all sectors: energy, industry, agriculture, transport, etc.
  • Coordinated efforts to lower emissions and protect citizens.

Benefits Beyond Climate Change Mitigation

• Development Support:
  • Serve as national investment and development plans.
  • Support green and sustainable development.
  • Outline support for communities and industries transitioning to renewable energy.
  • Encourage social inclusion with benefits for women, youth, and indigenous communities.
  • Opportunities for economies, job creation, reducing inequalities, and health improvement.

Renewable Energy Benefits

• Transition to Clean Energy:
  • Pathway to a healthy, livable planet.

Progress on Paris Agreement Goals

• Current Status:
  • Progress made but commitments insufficient.
  • Current plans lead to 2.6 - 3.1°C warming.
  • Urgent need for ambitious NDCs in next round.

The Importance of Limiting Temperature Rise

• Every Fraction Counts:
  • Average temperature is 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels.
  • Importance of maintaining rise within 1.5°C.

Individual Action

• Climate Action for All:
  • Speak up and hold leaders accountable.
  • Support ambitious NDC submissions in 2025.
  • Engage with UN's ActNow campaign for action ideas.

Further Learning

• Resources:
  • UNDP’s Climate Promise.
  • NDC Partnerships database for good practices.