By Alia Kajee
Global Campaign Project Manager
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are climate action goals set by nations under the 2015 Paris Agreement. Every nation party to the Agreement is required to design and submit its NDCs to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the multilateral treaty under which the Conference of Parties (COPs) are convened. These plans must be updated every five years, with the next round of submissions due in February 2025.
NDCs serve as self-defined roadmaps outlining how each country plans to tackle the climate crisis. They detail mitigation strategies, including targets, policies, and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, alongside adaptation plans for managing the impacts of climate change. Moreover, they address the need for financial resources, technologies, and capacity building, providing a comprehensive strategy for aligning national efforts with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C temperature goal.
Strong NDCs commit countries to ambitious renewable energy targets and significant emissions reductions to limit global warming as much and as quickly as possible. They should be measurable, concrete, and time-bound, such as specifying a percentage increase in renewable energy within the national energy mix by a set deadline. Additionally, they must adhere to principles of justice and equity.
A robust NDC not only sets targets but also outlines specific actions and systems to track progress. Since climate finance is critical for implementation, these plans should include a clear financing strategy to support a transformative shift toward greener, more sustainable development.
NDCs must reflect each country’s fair share of responsibility in reducing emissions.
To safeguard a livable planet, they need to be scientifically sound and ambitious. Unfortunately, current NDC commitments fall short. If we aggregate the pledges made so far, they place us on a path toward a 2.5–2.9°C temperature increase, far exceeding the 1.5°C threshold and threatening catastrophic consequences for life on Earth. Simply put, current NDCs are inadequate.
At COP28 in Dubai, nations pledged to phase out fossil fuels, triple renewable energy capacity, and double energy efficiency by 2030—essential and urgent steps to combat the climate crisis. However, these goals are meaningless without clear targets and financial commitments. This is where NDCs play a crucial role.
Beyond emissions reductions, NDCs offer a chance to rethink societal structures of production and consumption. They can drive greater social inclusion, benefiting women, youth, and Indigenous communities.
Many countries are beginning to integrate NDCs with their National Development Plans and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reinforcing the alignment of climate and development priorities.
NDCs must be people-centered
NDCs should be ambitious in meeting societal needs, transparent to ensure government accountability, and equitable to avoid perpetuating inequalities related to gender, race, age, disability, and other factors. No one should be left behind on the path to a sustainable, climate-just future. National plans should enshrine human rights while detailing a transition to renewable energy and building resilient, thriving communities.
To succeed, we need NDCs that:
- Commit to a timely phase-out of fossil fuels.
- Set clear, time-bound goals for renewable energy expansion.
- Uphold justice principles that prioritize people over profit.
The journey to a sustainable future demands bold, inclusive, and actionable NDCs that put humanity and the planet first.
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