All About the NDCs

What are the NDCs?

Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs, are national climate action plans by each country under the Paris Agreement. A country's NDC outlines how it plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help meet the global goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5C and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Paris Agreement requires that NDCs are updated every five years with increasingly higher ambition, taking into consideration each country’s capacity.

After the original NDCs in 2015, and the second round in 2020/2021, the third round of NDCs are due in 2025 and will detail countries' intended climate actions through 2035. These new NDCs will take into account the Global Stocktake, which evaluated global progress on achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Current commitments fall far short of what is needed to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and avoid the worst impacts of climate change. It is critical that countries deliver more ambitious NDCs to ensure a safer future for people everywhere.

What role do NDCs play in mitigating and adapting to the climate crisis?

Every sector of society – energy, industry, agriculture, transport and more – must act to reduce emissions and adapt to the climate impacts that are already affecting individuals and institutions alike. NDCs provide a framework for countries to ensure climate action is built into every sector and are the primary mechanism for countries to coordinate efforts to lower emissions and protect citizens from the worst impacts of this crisis.

How can NDCs be beneficial beyond mitigating climate change?

NDCs can address and support development beyond mitigating the impacts of climate change. These national climate plans can double as national investment plans and national development plans, and help countries make a transformative shift to development that is greener and more sustainable.

NDCs also offer a platform for countries to outline how they will support communities and industries heavily impacted by the transition to renewable energy. Moreover, they can support greater social inclusion by stipulating specific benefits for women, youth and indigenous communities.

If done right, the new NDCs are not only pathways for countries to avoid the most devastating impacts of climate change, but to unlock opportunities benefitting economies, creating jobs, reducing inequalities, and improving public health.

Are NDCs on track with the Paris Agreement goals?

Not yet. Countries have made meaningful progress since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015. Yet, commitments fall far short of what is needed to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C, with current plans and policies on track for 2.6 - 3.1ºC of warming.

This round of NDCs is a make or break for climate action and safeguarding the future for people and our planet.

What can I do?

Climate action is a task for all of us. That is why we must speak up and hold our government leaders accountable to taking the bold climate action necessary to meet the urgency of this crisis. Remind them of their responsibility to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement by submitting ambitious NDCs in 2025. For more ideas on how to make your actions and your voice count, visit the UN's ActNow campaign.

Learn more

UNDP’s Climate Promise works with over 120 countries and territories to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and meet the challenges of climate change. It is the world’s largest offer of support to countries on national climate pledges under the Paris Agreement.

Want to know more about good practices for NDCs? Check the NDC Partnership’s database by country, planning type and sectors and themes.