Nationally determined contributions

Definition

Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) refer to the commitments made by individual countries under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. These contributions are designed to reflect each nation's capabilities and circumstances, allowing for a flexible approach to climate action while promoting accountability and transparency in global efforts to combat climate change.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. NDCs are submitted by countries every five years as part of the ongoing process established by the Paris Agreement, which encourages increasing ambition over time.
2. Each country's NDC reflects its own national circumstances and capabilities, taking into account factors like economic development and technology availability.
3. NDCs are intended to be transparent and measurable, with countries required to report on their progress in achieving their emissions reduction targets.
4. The collective achievement of NDCs is critical for meeting the global temperature goals set out in the Paris Agreement, particularly the target of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius.
5. NDCs can also include adaptation measures that help countries prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change, not just mitigation strategies.

Review Questions

• How do nationally determined contributions reflect the unique circumstances of individual countries in addressing climate change?
  • Nationally determined contributions are tailored to each country's specific economic conditions, development needs, and technological capacities. This flexibility allows nations with different levels of resources and challenges to set realistic and achievable goals. By accommodating diverse contexts, NDCs promote broader participation in global climate action while encouraging nations to progressively enhance their efforts over time.
• Discuss the role of transparency and accountability in the framework of nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement.
  • Transparency and accountability are essential components of the framework governing nationally determined contributions. Countries are required to regularly report on their progress towards their NDC targets, which helps build trust among nations and enables peer review. This system not only holds countries accountable for their commitments but also encourages knowledge sharing and collaboration, ultimately enhancing collective efforts to combat climate change.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of nationally determined contributions in achieving global climate goals set forth in the Paris Agreement.
  • The effectiveness of nationally determined contributions can be evaluated through both their collective impact on reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and their ability to mobilize international cooperation. While some countries have made significant strides towards their targets, many NDCs still fall short of what is needed to limit global warming. Addressing this gap will require enhancing ambition through updated NDCs, increasing financial support for developing nations, and fostering innovative approaches that catalyze broader participation and commitment across all levels of society.

Related terms

Paris Agreement: An international treaty adopted in 2015 aimed at addressing climate change and its impacts, requiring countries to set and achieve their NDCs.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change, which NDCs seek to reduce.

Climate Change Mitigation: Efforts aimed at reducing or preventing the emission of greenhouse gases, which is a primary focus of nationally determined contributions.