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Aligned to the Paris Agreement Temperature Goal

Exploring Sector-Specific Opportunities

About This Opportunity

Identifying sector-specific opportunities for adaptation and mitigation action is important for ensuring NDCs 3.0 raise ambition while supporting their implementation to achieve the Paris Agreement temperature goal and the Global Goal on Adaptation. Exploring different options for each sector can also help countries recognize the technology and financial requirements for other interventions, facilitating discussions on technology development, transfer, and investment (See “Route: Technology and Capacity-Building as Needs and Enablers”).

The first Global Stocktake (GST) outcome paragraph 16 “Notes the following findings of the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: (c) That feasible, effective, and low-cost mitigation options are already available in all sectors to keep 1.5 °C within reach in this critical decade with the necessary cooperation on technologies and support”.

The first GST sets out sector-specific recommendations for mitigation and adaptation, as detailed below.

Reflecting the sectoral mitigation outcomes and “global efforts” in the NDC mitigation targets by either including non-GHG targets in the NDC or using ambition in these sectors to inform the national/sectoral GHG targets, and reflecting the adaptation thematic targets in the adaptation section of NDCs, can help countries adhere to Article 14 (paragraph 3) of the Paris Agreement. This article states: “The outcome of the global stocktake shall inform Parties in updating and enhancing, in a nationally determined manner, their actions and support in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Agreement, as well as in enhancing international cooperation for climate action.”

While sector targets help drive transformational change, countries have the flexibility to choose how many to include and which sectors to prioritize. During the target development process, considering a country’s capacity and ability to consistently track and report on the NDC targets and indicators, such as in Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), can help avoid difficulties further down the line. For more details see “Route: Technically Sound and Transparent Documents.”

REFLECTING THE GLOBAL STOCKTAKE

The first Global Stocktake (GST) includes several sector-specific recommendations, for both mitigation and adaptation.

1. Mitigation

The GST “Further recognizes the need for deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in line with 1.5 °C pathways and calls on Parties to contribute to the following global efforts, in a nationally determined manner, taking into account the Paris Agreement and their different national circumstances, pathways and approaches:

  • Tripling renewable energy capacity globally and doubling the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030;
    • Accelerating efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power;
    • Accelerating efforts globally towards net zero emission energy systems, utilizing zero- and low-carbon fuels, well before or by around mid-century;
    • Transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science;
    • Accelerating zero- and low-emission technologies, including, inter alia, renewables, nuclear, abatement and removal technologies such as carbon capture and utilization and storage, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors, and low-carbon hydrogen production;
    • Accelerating the substantial reduction of non-carbon-dioxide emissions globally, in particular methane emissions by 2030;
    • Accelerating the reduction of emissions from road transport on a range of pathways, including through development of infrastructure and rapid deployment of zero and low-emission vehicles;
    • Phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that do not address energy poverty or just transitions, as soon as possible”
  • “Further emphasizes the importance of conserving, protecting and restoring nature and ecosystems towards achieving the Paris Agreement temperature goal, including through enhanced efforts towards halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation by 2030, and other terrestrial and marine ecosystems acting as sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases and by conserving biodiversity, while ensuring social and environmental safeguards, in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework”
  • “Notes the need for enhanced support and investment, including through financial resources, technology transfer and capacity-building, for efforts towards halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation by 2030 in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, in accordance with Article 5 of the Paris Agreement, including through results-based payments for policy approaches and positive incentives for activities relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries; and alternative policy approaches, such as joint mitigation and adaptation approaches for the integral and sustainable management of forests, while reaffirming the importance of incentivizing, as appropriate, non-carbon benefits associated with such approaches”
  • “Invites Parties to preserve and restore oceans and coastal ecosystems and scale up, as appropriate, ocean-based mitigation action”
  • “Notes the importance of transitioning to sustainable lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption and production in efforts to address climate change, including through circular economy approaches, and encourages efforts in this regard”

2. Adaption

The GST “Calls for urgent, incremental, transformational and country-driven adaptation action based on different national circumstances”. It also “Encourages the implementation of integrated, multi-sectoral solutions”. In urging countries to scale up their adaptation ambition and enhance adaptation actions and support in line with decision 2/CMA.5, the GST, through the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience, identifies various thematic targets for 2030 and progressively beyond:

  • Water: “Significantly reducing climate-induced water scarcity and enhancing climate resilience to water-related hazards towards a climate-resilient water supply, climate-resilient sanitation and access to safe and affordable potable water for all”
  • Agriculture and food systems: “Attaining climate-resilient food and agricultural production and supply and distribution of food, as well as increasing sustainable and regenerative production and equitable access to adequate food and nutrition for all”
  • Health: “Attaining resilience against climate change related health impacts, promoting climate-resilient health services and significantly reducing climate-related morbidity and mortality, particularly in the most vulnerable communities”
  • Biodiversity: “Reducing climate impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity and accelerating the use of ecosystem-based adaptation and nature-based solutions, including through their management, enhancement, restoration and conservation and the protection of terrestrial, inland water, mountain, marine and coastal ecosystems”
  • Infrastructure and human settlements: “Increasing the resilience of infrastructure and human settlements to climate change impacts to ensure basic and continuous essential services for all, and minimizing climate-related impacts on infrastructure and human settlements”
  • Livelihoods and poverty: “Substantially reducing the adverse effects of climate change on poverty eradication and livelihoods, in particular by promoting the use of adaptive social protection measures for all”
  • Cultural heritage: “Protecting cultural heritage from the impacts of climate-related risks by developing adaptive strategies for preserving cultural practices and heritage sites and by designing climate-resilient infrastructure, guided by traditional knowledge, Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge and local knowledge systems”

The following strategies could help to implement this Opportunity:

Mitigation strategies:

Translating “global efforts” on renewable capacity, energy efficiency improvements, and the low-carbon energy transition from the first Global Stocktake into national mitigation efforts

To contribute to these international efforts, countries might want first to consider identifying the most nationally appropriate options through understanding:

  1. The opportunities to enhance mitigation efforts in this sector and the technologies needed to leverage these opportunities, whether related to renewable capacity, energy efficiency, or the transition of the entire energy system. See, for example “Enhancing NDCs: Opportunities in the Power Sector” (WRI), “Tripling Renewable Power And Doubling Energy Efficiency By 2030: Crucial Steps Towards 1.5°C” (IRENA), “Regional Energy Transition Outlooks” (IRENA), “IEA COP28 energy outcomes tracker” (IEA), “IEA Net  Zero Roadmap” (IEA), and “Mitigation of climate change – Cost-effective mitigation options by sector” (IPCC).
  2. Which options/technologies are most relevant to national circumstances, e.g., local environmental conditions, the socio-economic environment, or policy landscape? See, for example, “Assessing and Mapping Renewable Energy Resources” (UNIDO), “How Energy Efficiency Will Power Net Zero Climate Goals” (IEA)).
  3. Which options have the greatest mitigation potential in the country? See, for example, “Policy and Action Standard” (GHG Protocol). For many developing countries, bioenergy may be an important resource to explore. See, for example, “The Role of Bioenergy in the Clean Energy Transition and Sustainable Development: Lessons from Developing Countries” (UNIDO)). For energy efficiency, it will be important to incorporate building sector considerations. See, for example, “A Guide For Incorporating Buildings Actions In NDCs” (GABC)).
  4. The physical enabling environment required to support energy sector transformations, including grid connectivity, locations of users and production sites, and others, as  well as the policy/regulatory enablers that would be needed such as new tariff structures, market incentives, laws/regulations, permitting process changes, when deciding which measures to take forward. See, for example, “Enabling Frameworks for Sustainable Energy Transition” (Commonwealth Secretariat), and “Tripling Renewable Power And Doubling Energy Efficiency By 2030: Crucial Steps Towards 1.5°C” (IRENA)). As the energy transition relies heavily on technologies, it is also important to understand the skills and capacities needed to support the rollout of new technologies (see “Route: Technology and Capacity-Building as Needs and Enablers”).

Exploring planning and implementation needs can support understanding feasibility and timelines. See, for example, “Unlocking the Energy Transition: Guidelines for Planning Solar-Plus Storage Projects” (ESMAP)). To support this, feasibility studies can be commenced, and implementation plans can be developed. CDKN’s NDC QuickStart Guide includes a section on ‘Developing the NDC Implementation Plan’ that can support countries in this activity. Including sector stakeholders in the action planning process can also help understand each option’s strengths and weaknesses, including potential implementation challenges and considerations (see also “Route: Mobilizes All-of-Government and All-of-Society”). Lastly, defining new or revised energy sector targets and mainstreaming these into national energy planning policies and other strategic plans can help to ensure they are embedded. See, for example, “Renewable energy targets in 2022: A guide to design” (IRENA)).

Translating “global efforts” toward phasing down unabated coal power and phasing out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies from the first Global Stocktake into national mitigation efforts:

To contribute towards these international efforts, countries might want to consider the following steps:

  1. Taking stock of national coal assets and subsidies, including the needs related to these assets and subsidies (e.g., whether coal is fueling a crucial industry) and the expected lifetimes of these assets. The Global Coal Plant Tracker by Global Energy Monitor provides valuable data repository on such assets. This can help countries understand the potential timelines and limitations for phasing down assets and phasing out coal-related subsidies.
  2. Understanding the options available to contribute to this global effort. This will vary between countries and regions, but widely applicable guidance is available, such as  “Phaseout Pathways for Fossil Fuel Production Within Paris-Compliant Carbon Budgets” (University of Manchester), and “Financing The Managed Phaseout of Coal–Fired Power Plants In Asia Pacific” (GFANZ). Resources and dialogues are also frequently made available by the “Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA).”
  3. Planning a realistic national effort toward this global effort by bringing various stakeholders together. This can help ensure that plans consider all views and needs (see “Route: Mobilizes All-of-Government and All-of-Society”).
Translating “global efforts” to reduce non-CO2 (particularly methane) emissions from the first Global Stocktake into national mitigation efforts:

To contribute to this global effort, countries might want to consider the following steps:

  1. Identifying and understanding national sources of methane emissions: Common sources of methane include agriculture, waste management, and fugitive emissions from oil and gas activities. The national GHG inventory often provides the most reliable source of this information. Still, in the absence of quality data, countries could look to remote sensing sources such as the “IEA’s Global Methane Tracker.”
  2. Understanding the mitigation options available to address methane emissions in each sector: See, for example, “NDC Enhancement: Opportunities in Agriculture” (WRI), “Sectoral implementation of nationally determined contributions (NDCs): Circular economy and solid waste management” (GIZ), “Global Waste Management Outlook” (UNEP), and the international initiatives that can support action including Global Methane Pledge and Reducing Agricultural Methane Programme. Guidance from the World Bank explores how methane abatement might be financed: Using Pay-for-Performance Mechanisms to Finance Methane Abatement (Methane Finance Study Group).
  3. Taking stock of and understanding national sources of F-gases: These are another group of high global warming-potential climate pollutants that can be targeted, with the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol driving international action in this space, as well as the recently launched Global Cooling Pledge. The HFC Outlook Tool (Gluckman Consulting) can help countries understand current and future emissions of these gases.  
  4. Engage relevant sector stakeholders: Involve stakeholders from the fossil fuel industry, waste sector and agriculture sector when planning national efforts to tackle non-CO2 emissions. This ensure challenges, limitations, and stakeholder needs are all adequately considered in any plans (see “Route: Mobilizes All-of-Government and All-of-Society”).
Translating “global efforts” to accelerate zero and low-emission road transport from the first Global Stocktake into national mitigation efforts:

To contribute to this global effort, countries might want to consider the following steps:

  1. Assessing current national road transport emissions and dominant technologies. The national GHG inventory, national statistics, and datasets usually provide the most reliable information.
  2. Understanding all mitigation options for the sector and considering which are most relevant/appropriate for national circumstances. See, for example, “NDC Enhancement: Opportunities in Transport” (UNDP), “Green Mobility Global Roadmap“ (World Bank), “Vision 2050: A Strategy To Decarbonize The Global Transport Sector By Mid-Century” (ICCT), and “Mitigation of climate change – Cost-effective mitigation options by sector” (IPCC)).
    For example, there are significant opportunities around electrification of vehicles (see “Global EV Outlook 2024” (IEA) and “Building Blocks Of Electric Vehicle Deployment A Guide For Developing Countries” (NREL)), sustainable travel initiatives (see “Recommendations for Green and Healthy Sustainable Transport” (UNECE)), and decarbonizing freight (see “How-to Guide: Zero-emission Zones” (C40) and “Actions to Reduce Emissions and Boost the Resilience of Freight Transport and Global Supply Chains: SLOCAT Guidelines for NDCs” (SLOCAT)).
  3. Evaluating which options will likely result in the greatest mitigation impact. The GHG Protocol’s Policy and Action Standard can be used to support assessments.
  4. Understanding the broader impacts and enablers for implementation. For example, the transformation of the transport sector is often heavily linked to the power sector, as a shift from traditional fossil fuel-powered vehicles toward electric vehicles will usually require significant additional grid capacity. Related infrastructure, such as charging networks and policy/regulatory enablers, are likely needed, such as new tariff structures, market incentives, laws/regulations, among others). They are helpful when deciding which measures to take forward. See, for example, Enabling Frameworks for Sustainable Energy Transition (Commonwealth Secretariat).
  5. As the energy transition heavily relies on technologies, it is also important to consider the skills and capacities needed to support the rollout of new technologies (see “Route: Technology and Capacity-Building as Needs and Enablers”). It is helpful to bring together relevant transport sector stakeholders (e.g., public transport providers, government departments managing imports, regulations, and taxations, among others) when planning national efforts towards tackling road transport emissions to ensure challenges, limitations, and stakeholder needs are all adequately considered in any plans (see “Route: Mobilizes All-of-Government and All-of-Society”). In exploring which options are most feasible, it can be helpful to conduct a cost-benefit analysis – see the TRACE tool by the New Climate Institute, which supports the assessment of co-benefits in decarbonizing the transport sector.
Translating outcomes for forests and ocean/coastal ecosystems from the first Global Stocktake into national mitigation efforts:
  1. Taking stock of and understanding national forests and other ecosystems (see, for example, Voluntary Guidelines on National Forest Monitoring (FAO), Global Forest Watch (WRI), Global Forest Resource Assessment (FAO)). This helps inform an understanding of which mitigation options might be most nationally relevant/appropriate.
  2. Exploring the options available. Guidance is available to help countries understand the range of mitigation options for each key ecosystem / natural resource.
  3. Assessing GHG impact potential. ICAT’s Forestry Assessment Guide, USAID’s AFOLU Carbon Calculator, and IUCN’s Estimating The Mitigation Potential Of Forest Landscape Restoration could be used to help assess the GHG impacts of forestry and other land-use policies.
  4. Exploring the range of international initiatives that support these global efforts, including REDD+ (Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries), the Ocean and Climate Initiatives Alliance, and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
  5. Convening relevant stakeholders (e.g., forest management authorities, water companies, indigenous communities) when planning national efforts towards ecosystem conservation and restoration to ensure challenges, limitations, and stakeholder needs are all adequately considered in any plans (see also “Route: Mobilizes All-of-Government and All-of-Society”).
  6. Considering implementation needs. GIZ provides some guidance on action implementation in this sector (Sectoral implementation of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) – Forestry and land-use change). Further strategies around nature-based solutions are detailed under “Opportunity: Enhancing Nature-Based Solutions”.
Translating outcomes on sustainability and circular economies from the first Global Stocktake into national mitigation efforts:

To support the global transition to sustainable lifestyles and a circular economy, countries may wish to consider undertaking the following steps:

  1. Assessing the problems and challenges at the national level, e.g., which sectors and subsectors are responsible for the greatest waste generation.
  2. Developing further understanding of the causes of these problems and potential challenges in addressing them, for example, consulting and engaging with relevant stakeholders (see “Route: Mobilizes All-of-Government and All-of-Society”).
  3. Understanding the range of circular economy response options available, which can then be discussed and prioritized in collaboration with key stakeholders. The process of reflecting circular economy considerations in NDCs, from assessing problems to implementation and monitoring, is discussed in more detail in Building Circularity into Nationally Determined Contributions (UNEP, UNDP, UNFCCC).
  4. Considering implementation needs in this sector. See, for example, Sectoral implementation of nationally determined contributions (NDCs): Circular economy and solid waste management (GIZ).
Ensuring representation of all relevant mitigation sectors in national mitigation efforts:

As discussed under “Route: Aligned to the Paris Agreement Temperature Goal”, including all relevant sectors in mitigation efforts is important for achieving global mitigation goals. Countries may also wish to explore specific mitigation opportunities for the sectors not explicitly mentioned in the GST global efforts (i.e., agriculture and IPPU). Some sectors may be considered “hard to abate” sectors, including heavy freight, shipping, aviation, and producing iron, steel, chemicals, and petrochemicals. See Decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors with renewables: Perspectives for the G7 (IRENA) for guidance on decarbonizing these sectors. This resource is aimed at G7 countries but contains insights that all countries can leverage. To undertake this strategy, countries may wish to consider the following steps:

  1. Ensuring representation of all sectors in national mitigation efforts by taking stock of the current situation (i.e., emissions levels and trends, activities, current and planned policies, among others) in each sector and then exploring the different mitigation options available (see for example Mitigation of climate change – Cost-effective mitigation options by sector (IPCC)).
  2. Bringing together sector stakeholders to explore and prioritize the mitigation options available (see also “Route: Mobilizes All-of-Government and All-of-Society”). The prioritization process could also include assessing which options will likely have the highest impact (see, for example, the Policy and Action Standard (GHG Protocol)).
  3. Considering technology needs for the different options and the skills and capacities required to support the rollout of new technologies (also, see “Route: Technology and Capacity-Building as Needs and Enablers”).
  4. Incorporating sectoral efforts from the GST into national mitigation targets. For further consideration regarding target setting, see “Opportunity: Setting Targets, Including Economy-Wide NDC Targets”. Also see “Insights for designing mitigation elements in the next round of NDCs” (OECD). Further detailed guidance on sectoral mitigation opportunities is provided (by sector) under “Further Resources” below.

Adaptation strategies:

Translating adaptation goals for the water sector from the first Global Stocktake into national adaptation efforts:

Safeguarding water resources is important for building resilience, enhancing sustainable development, and ensuring water security (see, for example, Leveraging Water for Accelerating Adaptation (GCA). To translate these international objectives in this area into national initiatives, countries may want to consider the following activities:

  1. Understanding the country’s context, challenges, and priorities. This will allow countries to develop adaptation efforts tailored to the local needs and to minimize the climate-related impacts on their water resources, infrastructure, and communities (see NDC Enhancement: Opportunities Through Water (WRI)).
  2. Assessing vulnerability to climate change and identifying priority areas for adaptation within the water sector (see, for example, Guidance on water and adaptation to climate change (UNECE)).
  3. Integrating adaptation goals into national policies, infrastructure development, and water management plans (see, for example, Watering the NDCs (AGWA)). Strengthening governance structures to increase adaptation expertise across sectors and foster collaboration among stakeholders at all levels and sectors, recognizing that water is crosscutting (see Water Interactions to Consider for NDC Enhancement (UNDP). See “Route: Mobilizes All-of-Government and All-of-Society” for more information on governance and stakeholder engagement.
  4. Utilizing key technologies and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to enhance the resilience of water systems. Considering solutions in a water-basin approach can help avoid maladaptation (see Technologies for adaptation: innovation, priorities and needs in agriculture, water resources and coastal zones (UNFCCC)). Further detailed guidance on NbS is provided under “Opportunity: Enhancing Nature-Based Solutions.” For more information on identifying such technology needs, see “Route: Technology and Capacity-Building as Needs and Enablers”.
Translating adaptation goals for the agriculture sector from the first Global Stocktake into national adaptation efforts:

Many countries have prioritized agriculture as a focus for climate change adaptation. To effectively integrate national efforts in this area into NDCs, countries may want to consider the following:

  1. Transitioning from the planning to implementation stages to accelerate transformative climate action. Support for this in the agriculture sector is available through toolkits such as the Climate Action Review Tool (UNDP, FAO) and the COP28 Agriculture, Food and Climate National Action Toolkit (WWF).
  2. Evaluating the economic efficiency of agriculture sector adaptation measures and assessing the costs and benefits of various adaptation strategies to ensure that investments are effective and sustainable (see Cost-benefit analysis for climate change adaptation policies and investments in the agriculture sectors (FAO, UNDP)).
  3. Understanding the specific and localized context that agricultural businesses face in developing adaptation efforts, tailored to local needs (see AgriAdapt (WRI)).
  4. Considering technology needs. Technologies are often highlighted as enablers of effective agriculture sector adaptation and can play a crucial role in reducing vulnerability and building resilience to climate change. Effective technologies for adaptation may include agricultural practices that enhance productivity, food security, and resilience in specific agro-ecological zones. See, for example, Technologies for Adaptation in the Agriculture Sector (UNFCCC) and Technologies for Adaptation: Innovation, Priorities and Needs in Agriculture, Water Resources and Coastal Zones (UNFCCC). Also, see “Route: Technology and Capacity-Building as Needs and Enablers” for more information on identifying such technology needs.
Translating adaptation goals for the health sector from the first Global Stocktake into national adaptation efforts:

To contribute to global adaptation goals within the health sector, countries may wish to undertake the following activities:

  1. Developing health-inclusive and health-promoting climate targets and policies. The inclusion of public health considerations in NDCs provides an opportunity for increased ambition, for example, through the consideration of the social co-benefits of climate action, the creation of climate-resilient health systems, or through prioritized adaptation actions (see “Health in the Nationally Determined Contributions” (WHO)).
  2. Strengthening health systems’ resilience at national and subnational levels, from policy and planning through operational and service delivery to monitoring and evaluation. Toolkits such as the Health Systems Resilience Toolkit (WHO) provide a compendium of technical resources to support countries in strengthening the resilience of their health systems and provide a technical understanding of the conceptualization and operationalization of health system resilience.
  3. Assessing the costs associated with damage to health due to climate change, including the costs for adaptation in various sectors to protect health from climate change as well as the efficiency of adaptation measures, including averted health costs (see “A Tool to Estimate Health and Adaptation Costs” (WHO)).
  4. Developing comprehensive, feasible, and implementable Health National Adaptation Plans (HNAPs). Toolkits such as Quality Criteria for Health National Adaptation Plans (WHO) guide countries in setting the foundation for a long-term iterative HNAP process.
  5. Mainstream gender within health adaptation of climate change programs or projects, including gender analysis of health vulnerability and adverse health impacts of climate change, and design gender-responsive adaptation programs and actions (see “Mainstreaming Gender in Health Adaptation to Climate Change” (WHO)).
Translating adaptation goals for biodiversity from the first Global Stocktake into national adaptation efforts:

Reducing climate impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity and accelerating the use of NbS could be translated into national and subnational initiatives by considering the following activities:

  1. Assessing the vulnerabilities and risks ecosystems, species, and habitats face due to climate change. To do this, it is helpful to monitor national biodiversity and use this information to inform the adaptation measures that are most nationally appropriate. See, for example, Guidelines for developing national biodiversity monitoring systems (UNECE).
  2. Identifying priorities through understanding vulnerabilities and risks to design adaptation measures that conserve, protect, and restore ecosystems and biodiversity (see, for example, “Guide to Including Nature in Nationally Determined Contributions” (Conservation International et al.). This may include restoring degraded ecosystems, conserving critical habitats, and promoting sustainable land and resource management practices that support biodiversity conservation and adaptation. See, for example, “Accelerating Climate Ambition and Impact: Toolkit for Mainstreaming Nature-Based Solutions into Nationally Determined Contributions” (UNDP), “Pathway for Increasing Nature-Based Solutions in NDCs: A seven-step approach for enhancing NDCs through nature-based solutions” (UNDP), Nature-based Solutions in Nationally Determined Contributions: Synthesis and Recommendations for enhancing climate ambition and action by 2020 (IUCN).
  3. Prioritizing options, including through understanding co-benefits and trade-offs (see IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions (IUCN)). This may include broader development considerations, such as gender and social inclusion (see “Building Resilience with Nature and Gender in the Eastern Caribbean: A Toolkit to Mainstream” (OECS)).
  4. Collaborating internationally to address trans-boundary biodiversity challenges and promote synergies among countries, including sharing best practices, exchanging scientific knowledge, and mobilizing financial and technical support to assist countries in implementing biodiversity adaptation actions. International initiatives such as the “International Union for Conservation of Nature” (IUCN) and the” Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)” support such collaborative efforts.
Translating adaptation goals for infrastructure and human settlements from the first Global Stocktake into national adaptation efforts:

To translate global goals in climate-resilient infrastructure and human settlements into national efforts, countries could consider the following activities:

  1. Assessing key infrastructure and its vulnerability to understand where the most significant risks lie. See, for example, “Resilient and Green Human Settlements Framework” (UN Habitat).
  2. Identifying options to address risks. There are many opportunities for addressing urban resilience through the NDC development process, such as engagement of a diverse range of urban stakeholders in urban planning (see, “Opportunity: Engaging Local and Regional Governments”) and identifying concrete policies and actions for integrating human settlements in NDCs (see “Enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions through Urban Climate Action” (UN Habitat), and A Guide For Incorporating Buildings Actions In NDCs (UN Habitat)). Increasing climate resilience in the built environment could be achieved through targeted interventions that address specific climate-related hazards or built environment principles (design, thermal regulation, building codes, among others) See, for example, A Practical Guide to Climate-resilient Buildings & Communities (UNEP).
  3. Identifying technology needs associated with different options. See also “Route: Technology and Capacity-Building as Needs and Enablers”.
  4. Convening a range of stakeholders in a participatory policy-development approach. Local and municipal authorities play an important role in this sector, as national infrastructure is often concentrated in urban settings. See also “Opportunity: Engaging Local and Regional Governments”.
Translating adaptation goals for livelihoods, poverty, and cultural heritage from the first Global Stocktake into national adaptation efforts:

To translate global goals to protect livelihoods, reduce poverty, and preserve cultural heritage into national efforts, countries could consider the following:

  1. Mainstreaming linkages between poverty and the environment throughout development planning activities to generate pro-poor outcomes from adaptation action (see “Handbook for Practitioners” (UNEP) and “Handbook to Strengthen Planning and Budgeting Processes” (UNEP, UNDP)).  Both resources emphasize a programmatic approach with three key components:
    • Setting the stage for mainstreaming by understanding poverty-environment linkages and socio-institutional contexts to define pro-poor outcomes.
    • Integrating poverty-environment issues into ongoing policy processes.
    • Mainstreaming within and across budgeting, implementation, and monitoring, ensuring poverty-environment mainstreaming is standard practice.
  2. Identifying actions that prevent impact and manage risk from climate change on cultural heritage. See, for example, “Climate Change and World Heritage” Chapter 3 (UNESCO), “Bridging the Gap: Cultural Heritage for Climate Action” (UK National Commission for UNESCO), and “Climate Change, Culture, and Cultural Rights” recommendations.  Examples include:
Ensuring representation of all relevant adaptation sectors in national adaptation efforts:

The thematic targets of the first Global Stocktake cover all UAE Framework adaptation sectors including water, food/agriculture, health, ecosystems/biodiversity, poverty and livelihoods, cultural heritage, and infrastructure. However, the lines between adaptation sectors may sometimes be blurred due to the interconnected nature of climate risk. Therefore, some countries may define their sectors differently when undertaking adaptation planning. Adaptation sectors can be defined in numerous ways, and it is at the country’s discretion to select those most relevant and appropriate to national circumstances. For example, business and industry may fall under “livelihoods,” but in some countries, it may be helpful to be more specific as some particular businesses or industries are especially vulnerable. Similarly, some countries may explicitly address marine and coastal ecosystems rather than being addressed more generally under ecosystems/biodiversity.

Exploring how adaptation and mitigation actions impact each other and how actions in one sector affect others:

Identifying mitigation-adaptation co-benefits is a strategic approach that can help countries advance their climate commitments and actions. See, for example, “Reference Guide on Adaptation Co-Benefits” (Climate Change Group) and “Study On The Role Of Mitigation-Adaptation Co-Benefits For Creating A More Resilient Future For All” (Cambridge Econometrics, UNICEF, and GIZ). By leveraging synergies between adaptation and mitigation measures, countries may enhance buy-in and coordination by demonstrating shared gains, engaging diverse stakeholders through inclusive decision-making, and fostering collaboration across sectors to maximize impact. See also “Opportunity: Amplifying the Mitigation-Adaptation Nexus” for further information. Similarly, identifying the co-benefits of climate action between sectors could aid in selecting options with mitigation or adaptation benefits in other areas. Identifying co-benefits (whether across sectors or across adaptation and mitigation) is also helpful in identifying trade-offs to support the avoidance of negative impacts of climate action. For further insights on co-benefits that could be leveraged and trade-offs to consider, see the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report chapters “Mitigation from a cross-sectoral perspective and Cross-sectoral perspectives”. A collaborative process involving stakeholders across various sectors and thematic areas can support a more effective assessment that considers a range of viewpoints (see “Mobilizes All-of-Government and All-of-Society”).

Aligning with existing sectoral plans

Sectoral development strategies, such as national REDD+ strategies/action plans, national energy strategies, transport plans, or water and natural resource management strategies, are often used by countries to set out development and transformation goals in specific sectors, policy direction, and priority actions. Sectoral opportunities for the NDC can often be aligned with actions contained in sectoral plans. Reflecting on the most ambitious sectoral strategies and actions in the NDC could help ensure that it represents the highest possible ambition. On the other hand, sectoral ambition can also be raised through the NDC process, where there is an opportunity to identify new or strengthened actions.  Implementation also often occurs at a sectoral level, so ensuring that NDCs are aligned with sectoral plans or that NDCs are built on sectoral plans can support more effective implementation and achieve both sectoral and climate goals. Furthermore, sectoral strategies typically have associated budgets, so alignment between plans could also help finance actions through domestic resources or support greater access to finance at the sectoral level. Aligning with sectoral plans often requires strong and consistent coordination mechanisms, and sectoral stakeholders will be important to engage throughout the process (See “Route: Mobilizes All-of-Government and All-of-Society”).

Country Examples

Indonesia committed in 2022 to ‘FOLU net sink 2030’. The enhanced NDC increased the country’s mitigation commitment, reflecting this ambitious goal. The document further affirmed the long-term target of Carbon Neutrality and Carbon Net Sink for the FOLU sector by 2030, which was also aligned with the country’s Long-Term Strategy. Therefore, Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 serves as the backbone of Indonesia’s GHG emission reduction. The NDC prioritizes efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+), improve forest governance, and enhance sustainable land management practices. Indonesia’s NDC aims to reduce deforestation rates, increase forest area, and improve forest carbon stocks through sustainable forest management and conservation measures, aiming to make the forestry and land use sector a net sink by 2030. (Source: “Enhanced NDC – Republic of Indonesia”, UNFCCC)

The Seychelles’ first NDC update sets several ambitious mitigation targets for the energy sector despite the country being a low overall emitter. Energy security issues in the Seychelles were a key driver of these commitments, with the NDC also stating the benefits of expected energy security impacts on families and communities, farmers, and those living in poverty. The commitments included achieving a decarbonized economy by 2050, boosting electricity generation from renewable energies, and securing a sustainable and resilient water management system. The NDC also states key implementation targets focused on modernizing the entire electricity sector, including “increased electricity generation from renewable sources” and “improved energy efficiency across sectors.” (Source: “Seychelles First NDC Updated Submission”, UNFCCC)

Chile’s revised NDC acknowledges the significance of aligning climate and sustainable development agendas, introducing an innovative social pillar that integrates mitigation, adaptation, and integration goals. Chile pledges to steer the implementation of its NDC actions by prioritizing synergies with the SDGs, ensuring each commitment contributes to fulfilling one or more SDGs, addressing just transition requirements, enhancing water security, promoting gender equity, leveraging nature-based solutions, incorporating indigenous and traditional knowledge, fostering public participation, and optimizing cost efficiency. Furthermore, Chile’s NDC highlights successful sectoral action in the electricity sector by focusing on phasing out coal-fired power plants by 2040, resulting in an emission reduction of 7.5 MtCO2eq by 2050. This will allow for cleaner electricity generation, enabling further emission reductions in other sectors that rely on electricity. (Source: “Chile First NDC Updated Submission”, UNFCCC)

Further Resources

The following non-exhaustive guidance and tools list can provide further support for including sector-specific opportunities in NDCs.

CROSS-SECTORAL

Mitigation of climate change – Cost-effective mitigation options by sector (IPCC, 2023)
Figure SPM.7 provides an overview of mitigation options in each sector and their estimated cost ranges and potentials in 2030.

Cross-sectoral perspectives (IPCC, 2022)
This resource provides a scientific assessment of various strategies to reduce GHG emissions across different sectors. It provides options, such as carbon dioxide removals, food system actions, and land-related opportunities. Case studies of best practice are included for each of these options.

Mitigation from a cross-sectoral perspective (IPCC, 2018)
This document assesses the economic costs and benefits of various mitigation actions by reviewing several sectors, such as energy, buildings, and agriculture. It demonstrates how strategically designed mitigation policies can achieve multiple benefits besides reducing emissions.

Policy and Action Standard (GHG Protocol, No date)
The GHG Policy and Action Standard is a tool for estimating and reporting the impact of policies and actions on greenhouse gas emissions. It aims to improve accuracy, transparency, and consistency in assessing these impacts to inform better decision-making.

The 2030 Climate Solutions: an Implementation Roadmap (UNFCCC, 2023)
This integrated framework brings together the existing 2030 frameworks and tools of the High Level Champions, the Marrakesh Partnership, and an extended network of partners and initiatives. These include Climate Action Pathways, 2030 Breakthroughs, Breakthrough Agenda, Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda and Race to Zero and Race to Resilience campaigns. Together, they form a comprehensive roadmap to accelerate climate action through specific real economy and on-the-ground solutions by 2030 through collaboration and cooperation.

Reference Guide on Adaptation Co-Benefits (Climate Change Group, 2021)
This guide explains how the World Bank calculates adaptation co-benefits of its lending operations using the three-step Joint MDB Methodology.

Study on the Role of Mitigation-Adaptation Co-Benefits for Creating a More Resilient Future for All (Cambridge Econometrics, UNICEF, and GIZ, 2022)
This study highlights that COVID-19 green recovery plans can address both issues and demonstrates the importance of inclusive decision-making and cross-sectoral collaboration in unlocking these co-benefits.

Insights for designing mitigation elements in the next round of NDCs (OECD, 2024)
This paper explores how Parties can prepare enhanced NDCs that take forward GST1 outcomes on mitigation and relevant provisions on NDCs, building on lessons learned from successive NDCs and available follow-up opportunities to support this process. Insights from experiences highlight the interlinkages between enhancing NDC ambition and implementation.

Technologies for adaptation: innovation, priorities, and needs in agriculture, water resources, and coastal zones (UNFCCC, 2022)
This paper aims to serve as a primer on adaptation technology in the three sectors of focus, agriculture, water resources, and infrastructure and settlements, while also shedding light on associated crosscutting topics and trends.

Addressing agriculture, forestry and fisheries in National Adaptation Plans – Supplementary guidelines | Integrating Agriculture in National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)  (FAO, 2017)
Addressing agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in National Adaptation Plans – Supplementary guidelines (NAP–Ag Guidelines) provide specific guidance for national adaptation planning in the agricultural sectors.

Decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors with renewables: Perspectives for the G7 (IRENA, 2024)
This report offers guidance for countries developing their NDCs, focusing on hard-to-decarbonize sectors like heavy industry and transport. The report explores effective strategies for these sectors, emphasizing renewable energy and energy efficiency, and provides recommendations for the G7 on how to create conditions that support these solutions on a global scale.

AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS

NDC Enhancement: Opportunities in Agriculture (WRI, 2019)
This working paper emphasizes the role of the agriculture sector in achieving Paris Agreement goals through NDCs. It provides guidance on enhancing the NDCs with actionable strategies for adaptation, mitigation, and sustainable development in agriculture. It highlights the importance of international support, policy coherence, stakeholder engagement, and inclusive governance to ensure effective implementation and progress tracking.

Food Forward NDCs (WWF, No date)
This interactive tool, developed by WWF and Climate Focus, helps countries implement policies that will transform national food systems. It provides various evidence-based policy options and measures for transitioning to nature-positive, healthy, and resilient food systems.

Enhancing NDCs for food systems: Recommendations for decision-makers (WWF and others, 2020)
This document offers guidance for policymakers to strengthen NDCs in the context of food systems, emphasizing the interconnection between food systems, climate change, and sustainable development. The aim is to support decision-makers in developing comprehensive and ambitious NDCs that effectively address the complex nexus of food systems and climate change mitigation and adaptation. It provides recommendations for enhancing NDCs by integrating measures to address challenges such as food security, agricultural resilience, and greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.

Unlocking And Scaling Climate Solutions In Food Systems (WWF, 2020)
This report guides countries in incorporating food systems into their NDCs. It emphasizes reducing emissions throughout the food chain while enhancing natural carbon sinks. By analyzing existing NDCs, the report reveals a need for more robust measures and implementation. It also provides a tool (WWF’s NDCsWeWant Checklist) to assess how effectively countries integrate food systems into their NDCs, ultimately urging more ambitious action on food systems within climate strategies.

Tools for Assessing GHG Emissions in Agricultural Supply Chains (GGIAR Research Programme on CCAFS) (Ceres, No date)
This report provides an overview of available resources such as standards, methodologies, tools, and calculators, for assessing emissions from agricultural production and agriculturally driven land use change.

Agriculture and Land Use National GHG Inventory and Mitigation Analysis Software Tool (ALU) (NREL, No date)
The Agriculture and Land Use Greenhouse Gas Inventory (ALU) Software guides an inventory compiler through estimating greenhouse gas emissions and removals related to agricultural and forestry activities.

Climate Action Review Tool: Assessing the transformative potential of adaptation actions in the agriculture and land-use sectors (UNDP and FAO, No date)
The UNDP-FAO Climate Action Review (CAR) Tool guides planners and practitioners through the stages of transformative climate action in the agriculture and land-use sectors. This systematic guide helps to pinpoint actionable starting points drawn from existing NAPs and NDCs. The tool’s flexible design ensures it can be tailored to a country’s specific context and the user’s strategic priorities.

Technologies for Adaptation in the Agricultural Sector (UNFCCC, 2024)
This brief for policymakers within national and local government institutions draws upon lessons learned from various relevant experiences and provides recommendations, incorporating consideration of the principles of effective adaptation and TNA recommendations for practitioners and policymakers.

COP28 Agriculture, Food and Climate National Action Toolkit (FAO, 2023)
This toolkit represents a direct contribution to Pillar 1 of the COP28 Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda, which aims to catalyze state-level action and mobilize the global community to support and sustain national efforts to align climate action and food systems transformation beyond COP28.

Agricultural Adaptation (AgriAdapt) Tool (WRI, 2022)
The Agricultural Adaptation Tool focuses on in-depth stakeholder engagement, combining sectoral knowledge with technical and data expertise underpinned by a user-centric approach to tool development.

Cost-benefit analysis for climate change adaptation policies and investments in the agriculture sectors (FAO and UNDP, 2018)
This briefing note illustrates the role and logic of Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) in evaluating climate change adaptation policies and projects in the agriculture sectors. It describes the main analytical steps and provides practical examples.

Sectoral implementation of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) – Agriculture (GIZ, 2017)
This eight-briefing series provides an overview of the sectoral effects of climate change and offers prospects for implementing NCDs in each sector. Concrete options to integrate sectoral measures into future NDCs are suggested. This resource is specifically for the agriculture sector.

SCALA  (FAO, 2021)
The Scaling up Climate Ambition on Land Use and Agriculture through NDCs and NAPs (SCALA) program supports countries in enhancing climate action in land use and agriculture, together with Partners. Using countries’ nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and/or National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) as entry points, SCALA identifies pathways for implementing climate actions with the potential to trigger transformative systems change.

Reducing Agricultural Methane Programme (RAMP, 2024)
RAMP supports countries by integrating methane reductions into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and designing new agricultural development projects with robust methane mitigation components. The program’s goal is to build climate resilience for smallholder farmers in low—and middle-income countries as an entry point for methane emissions mitigation to align with the Global Methane Pledge goals, launched at COP26 in November 2021.

Agriculture Methodology: Assessing the GHG impacts of Agriculture Policies (ICAT, 2023)
This guide is part of the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) series for assessing the impacts of policies and actions. The guide is designed to assess specific mitigation policy instruments, which are interventions taken or mandated by a government and implementation of technologies or practices, known as measures. This guide has been updated to cover additional agricultural emission sources and the most up-to-date Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodologies.

Key Coastal Countries’ Inclusion of Fisheries in Their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) (Climate Advisers, 2023)
Climate Advisers sought to understand the extent to which key coastal countries appreciate the importance of fisheries for adaptation and mitigation. This report presents the results of that analysis, describing the types of commitments countries are making, rating countries’ commitments and identifying areas where civil society and philanthropic engagement could help to move the needle.

ENERGY

Guidance on translating the GST energy outcomes to the national context (FORTHCOMING)
The NDC Partnership and the Danish Government are currently supporting the development of detailed guidance on how to translate the GST energy outcomes to the national context (this guidance is expected to be published in fall 2024)

Enhancing NDCs: Opportunities in the Power Sector (WRI, 2019)
This document explores the role of the power sector in climate mitigation, emphasizing the need to decarbonize electricity supply and boost energy efficiency. It outlines key strategies and opportunities for countries to enhance their NDCs by integrating ambitious, tangible power solutions and tracking progress to align with the Paris Agreement goals.

Aligning energy and climate objectives in NDCs (CDKN, 2018)
This working paper by CDKN focuses on integrating energy-related objectives into NDCs. It provides guidance on assessing the alignment between a country’s energy and climate objectives, identifying synergies and trade-offs, and developing strategies to maximize co-benefits. The aim is to support countries in crafting NDCs that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable energy access and development.

Enabling Frameworks for Sustainable Energy Transition (Commonwealth Secretariat, 2021)
This paper examines enabling frameworks, including policy, laws, regulations, standards, governance institutions, and implementation tools, that encourage the investment needed for Sustainable Energy Transitions. It recommends measures to accelerate transitions and suggests ways to overcome potential barriers.

Tripling Renewable Power And Doubling Energy Efficiency By 2030: Crucial Steps Towards 1.5°C (IRENA, 2023)
This report consolidates a high-level analysis of these targets, detailing existing shortfalls and identifying key enablers to resolve them. It represents global perspectives within the renewable energy and climate change space, with the COP28 Presidency, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) uniting to provide concrete recommendations on the means to meet these renewable power and energy efficiency targets.

Renewable Energy in the Water, Energy & Food Nexus (IRENA, 2015)
This report by IRENA explores the interconnected relationship between water, energy, and food systems, emphasizing the role of renewable energy in addressing the challenges within this nexus. The report highlights how renewable energy technologies can enhance water and energy efficiency in agricultural production, water desalination, and irrigation systems. It also discusses the potential for renewable energy to facilitate sustainable water management practices and improve access to energy for water and food production.

Assessing and Mapping Renewable Energy Resources (ESMAP, 2021)
This document by ESMAP outlines methodologies and tools for assessing the potential of various renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass. It emphasizes the importance of accurate resource assessments for informing policy decisions, project planning, and investment strategies. The report also discusses mapping techniques to spatially represent renewable energy resource data, enabling stakeholders to identify suitable locations for renewable energy projects.

Unlocking the Energy Transition: Guidelines for Planning Solar-Plus Storage Projects (ESMAP, 2023)
This report presents a four-phase framework for planning solar-plus-storage projects, as well as a decision-making tree, sample business models, and a PPA template, to streamline the adoption of these projects that leverage private investments in countries where fuel dependence is stressing limited public resources.

Renewable energy targets in 2022: A guide to design (IRENA, 2022)
This report supports governments in designing renewable energy targets that help achieve climate goals, increase energy security, and ensure universal access to reliable and affordable energy. It demonstrates the misalignment between national energy plans’ and NDCs’ renewable targets.

IEA Net Zero Roadmap (IEA, 2023)
This report updates the 2021 ‘Net Zero by 2050’ roadmap. It analyses changes in the global energy sector, including the energy crisis and continued emissions rise, factoring in advancements in clean energy technology.

Regional Energy Transition Outlooks (IRENA, Variable dates)
IRENA’s regional energy transition outlooks explore both the technical potential and the socio-economic benefits of the energy transition at the regional level.

Renewables-based electric cooking: Climate commitments and finance (IRENA, 2023)
This report addresses the challenge of achieving universal access to clean cooking by 2030, highlighting the need to accelerate the transition towards renewable solutions. These include bioenergy and electric cooking powered by renewables. It also emphasizes the importance of financing and proposes action plans tailored to different country groups to scale up the adoption of electric cooking.

The Role of Bioenergy in the Clean Energy Transition and Sustainable Development: Lessons from Developing Countries (UNIDO, 2021)
The UNIDO report discusses how bioenergy can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing energy security, and fostering rural development. It highlights various bioenergy technologies and their potential applications across different sectors, including electricity generation, transportation, and heating. Additionally, the document examines policy frameworks, financing mechanisms, and capacity-building initiatives to support the deployment of bioenergy solutions.

Electricity Transition Playbook (GGI, No date)
This free Open University course, developed through the Green Grids Initiative and Climate Compatible Growth, offers a practical guide to help policy makers develop a tailored approach to shape the electricity transition for their country. It features nine interconnected building blocks of electricity transition with resources for each. A Progressive scorecard will empower policy makers to measure readiness for transition and is supported by a growing community of experienced practitioners to share best practice.

Key Messages on Renewable Energy and the Right to Development: Realizing Human Rights for Sustainable Development (OHCHR, 2022)
These Key Messages describe human rights obligations and responsibilities related to production and access to renewable energy.

COAL

Phaseout Pathways for Fossil Fuel Production Within Paris-Compliant Carbon Budgets (University of Manchester, 2022)
This report describes the need for immediate and deep cuts in fossil fuel reduction to comply with the carbon budget for a 50 per cent chance of no exceeding 1.5 degrees of warming. The report acknowledges poorer countries’ challenges but emphasizes there’s no room for new fossil fuel developments anywhere. Reaching an equitable low-carbon future requires significant financial support from wealthy nations to help developing countries transition.

Global Coal Plant Tracker (Global Energy Monitor, No date)
The Global Coal Plant Tracker offers a comprehensive worldwide overview of coal-fired power plants. It provides detailed information on the status, capacity, and characteristics of existing, planned, and retired coal plants, enabling stakeholders to track developments in the coal power sector.

Financing The Managed Phaseout Of Coal–Fired Power Plants In Asia Pacific (GFANZ, 2023)
This resource is a guide to support financing the early retirement of coal-fired power plants as part of a just net-zero transition.

Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU)

NDC Enhancement: Opportunities in the Forest and Land-use Sector (WRI, 2019)
This document emphasizes the role of forests in climate mitigation and adaptation, providing guidance for countries to enhance their NDCs by integrating forest and land-use strategies. It outlines steps for enhancing NDCs through forest conservation, restoration, and management to reduce emissions and enhance carbon sinks, highlighting the synergy between climate action and Sustainable Development Goals.

Enhancing Forest Targets and Measures in Nationally Determined Contributions (WWF, 2020)
This document analyzes existing NDCs to identify opportunities to enhance forest-related targets and measures and offers recommendations to improve their ambition and effectiveness. Drawing on case studies from various countries, it provides valuable insights into successful strategies for integrating forests into NDCs.

Aligning Short-Term Land Sector Actions with Long-Term Climate Goals (UNDP, 2023)
This guidance aims to support governments in identifying and implementing feasible, short-term actions in the land sector that simultaneously contribute to short-term and long-term climate mitigation goals. It highlights a series of governance, technical, financial, and institutional actions that can be taken by governments in the short term to enable the effective implementation of NDCs.

Voluntary Guidelines on National Forest Monitoring (FAO, 2017)
This document is intended as a technical reference for governmental bodies in charge of forest monitoring, educational and research institutions, the public and private sectors, and members of civil society concerned with National Forest Monitoring (NFM). These Voluntary Guidelines aim to assist with creating and operating national forest monitoring systems (NFMSs).

Global Forest Watch (WRI, No date)
Global Forest Watch (GFW) is an interactive online forest monitoring and alert system designed to empower people everywhere with the information they need to manage better and conserve forest landscapes.

Global Forest Resource Assessment (FAO, 2020)
This platform allows users to export data, including forest extent, characteristics, change, designation, management, disturbances, and policy and legislation.

Forestry Assessment Guide (ICAT, 2020)
This document provides methodological guidance for assessing the GHG impacts of forest policies that increase carbon sequestration and/or reduce GHG emissions from afforestation and/or reforestation, sustainable forest management, and avoided deforestation and/or degradation.

AFOLU Carbon Calculator (USAID, No date)
The AFOLU Calculator employs IPCC-based accounting methods that allow users to estimate the CO2 benefits and potential climate impacts of eight different types of land-based project activities: forest protection, forest management, afforestation/reforestation, agroforestry, cropland management, grazing land management, forest degradation caused by fuel wood, and support/development of policies.

Estimating The Mitigation Potential of Forest Landscape Restoration (IUCN, 2019)
This tool aims to guide forest landscape restoration activities and programs in the rapid estimation of mitigation potential, alignment with national greenhouse gas estimation processes, and identification of opportunities to enhance the role of forest landscape restoration in national mitigation efforts.

Sectoral implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions– Forestry and land-use change (GIZ, 2017)
This eight-briefing series provides an overview of the sectoral effects of climate change and offers prospects for implementing NCDs in each sector. Furthermore, concrete options to integrate sectoral measures into future NDCs are suggested. This resource is specifically for the forestry and land-use sector.

HEALTH

Health in Nationally Determined Contributions‎ (WHO, 2020)
This paper equips countries with strategies to strengthen their NDCs by including public health considerations, such as social co-benefits, the creation of resilient health systems, or prioritized adaptation actions. It outlines the current state of health in NDCs, provides a set of WHO recommendations for creating ambitious health-promoting NDCs, and highlights the need for country-specific approaches to NDC enhancement with case studies of best practices.

Health systems resilience toolkit (WHO, 2022)
This toolkit offers practical guidance to support countries in strengthening health system resilience at national and subnational levels. It can be tailored to diverse contexts and supports the dual agenda of universal health coverage and global health security.

Climate change and health: a tool to estimate health and adaptation costs (WHO, 2013)
This tool provides step-by-step guidance on estimating the costs associated with damage to health due to climate change, the costs for adaptation in various sectors to protect health from climate change, and the efficiency of adaptation measures, i.e the cost of adaptation versus the expected returns, or averted health costs.

Quality Criteria for Health National Adaptation Plans (WHO, 2021)
The Quality Criteria for Health National Adaptation Plans (HNAPs) presents examples of good practices in HNAP development to assist countries in developing a comprehensive, feasible, and implementable plan. 

Mainstreaming Gender in Health Adaptation to Climate Change (WHO, 2012)
This guide is targeted towards program managers who work in climate change and health adaptation and provides them with practical information and concrete guidance to mainstream gender throughout all four phases of the project cycle: identification, formulation and design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.

INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES AND PRODUCT USE

Guidance on Incorporating Efficient, Clean Cooling into the Enhancement of Nationally Determined Contributions (Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program, 2019)
This document provides a framework for integrating efficient and clean cooling solutions into countries’ NDCs. The guidance emphasizes the importance of cooling systems in various sectors, such as buildings, transportation, and industry. It outlines steps for assessing cooling needs, identifying opportunities for efficient cooling technologies, and implementing policies and measures to promote their adoption.

HFC Outlook Tool  (Gluckman Consulting, 2024)
HFC Outlook is a modeling platform to assess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to the use of energy and refrigerants in refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat pump (RACHP) equipment and GHG emissions from other applications of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The model outputs include historical data through the years 1990 to 2022, forecasts for 2023 to 2050, and creates a range of possible pathways to 2050. It can be created for individual countries or regions, providing data supporting policy development.

Advancing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) through climate-friendly refrigeration and air-conditioning (GIZ, 2016)
This guidance for policymakers supports the design of national mitigation strategies for the refrigeration, air conditioning, and foam (RAC&F) sector to meet the increasing ambition levels expected in revised NDCs.

INFRASTRUCTURE, BUILDINGS AND SETTLEMENTS

A Practical Guide to Climate-resilient Buildings & Communities (UNEP, 2021)
This practical guide provides an overview of the types of interventions at the building scale. It offers concepts and approaches for the building envelope, roof, structure, orientation, and materials. The techniques and technologies presented in this document are tailored toward a developing country context and a built environment that is primarily self-constructed.

Enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions through Urban Climate Action (UN Habitat & ICLEI, 2020)
This guide aims to provide practical and concise opportunities for incorporating urban climate action and human settlement issues into the current future NDC revision and enhancement process, drawing on existing knowledge and networks.

The Resilient and Green Human Settlements Framework (UN Habitat, 2023)
The Resilient and Green Human Settlements Framework (RGHSF) is a policy document that provides guidance on using green development and a resilience-driven perspective to assess, develop, manage, and evaluate settlements and their parts.

A Guide For Incorporating Buildings Actions In NDCs (GABC, 2018)
This document provides a framework for countries to integrate building-related actions into their NDCs. The aim is to assist countries in enhancing the ambition of their NDCs by including measures to decarbonize the building sector. It outlines steps for assessing building sector emissions, setting targets, identifying mitigation actions, and enhancing policy frameworks.

Compendium of GHG Baselines and Monitoring: Building and Construction Sector (UNFCCC, 2021)
This guidance provides an overview of the different sources of GHG emissions from the building and construction sector, as well as methodologies for quantifying these emissions, which will inform the preparation and reporting of national GHG inventories.

SOCIAL PROTECTION AND POVERTY REDUCTION

Social Protection and Climate Change: How can we Protect the most Vulnerable Households Against New Climate Threats? (IDB, 2023)
This paper analyzes social protection systems’ contributions to the climate agenda and the key gaps and challenges that must be addressed to respond to these emerging threats effectively.

Policy coherence between social protection and climate action (Climate Centre, 2023)
This brief establishes the shared objectives of social protection and climate action and explores how including social protection in climate documents and acknowledging climate risks in social protection documents at the national level can significantly boost the recognition of social protection as a relevant climate risk management tool.

Just Transition Policy Brief – Social protection for a just transition (ILO, 2023)
This policy brief aims to provide an overview of how social protection can help prevent or address potential adverse effects of climate change and contribute to a just transition by supporting people to meet the new requirements of the world of work as part of coherent policies in line with the Just Transition Guidelines.

FAO – Social protection in NDCs / Agrifood systems in NDCs: Global Analysis (Forthcoming)

Mainstreaming Environment and Climate for Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development: The Interactive Handbook to Strengthen Planning and Budgeting Processes (UNDP & UNEP, 2015)
This handbook is designed as guidance for policymakers and practitioners to mainstream pro-poor environment and climate concerns into planning, budgeting, and monitoring.

A Framework for Enhancing Gender and Poverty Integration in Climate Finance (UNDP, 2021)
This paper offers a framework to support policy innovation and further discourse for enhancing the nexus between gender, poverty, and climate change within the policymaking process and climate finance allocation and accountability mechanisms associated with public, innovative, and multilateral sources of climate finance. The framework points to good practices in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, and Thailand, which provide learnings on their experiences for climate finance and gender equality practitioners.

Bridging the gaps: cultural heritage for climate action (UNESCO, 2021)
Recommendations for research, policy, and practice related to cultural heritage and climate action are laid out in this report, alongside case studies detailing innovative approaches to assessing risks due to the impacts of climate change on cultural heritage sites.

Climate Change and World Heritage (UNESCO, 2007)
This report examines the threats climate change poses to World Heritage sites, both natural and cultural. It highlights rising temperatures, ocean acidification, and sea level rise as dangers to these sites’ ecosystems and structures. The report calls for reviewing World Heritage processes, monitoring climate’s impact, and developing adaptation measures like improved site management and knowledge sharing.

Mainstreaming Poverty-Environment Linkages into Development Planning (UNEP, 2009)
This handbook offers a practical guide for countries, including NDCs, to integrate poverty and environmental concerns into national development plans. It outlines a multi-year, adaptable process with steps for stakeholder engagement, policy integration, and implementation, recognizing that mainstreaming poverty-environment considerations is an ongoing cycle.

NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS

Guidance on the identification and assessment of nature-related issues: The LEAP approach (TNFD, 2023)
This document provides guidance on the integrated approach, the LEAP approach, that the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) has developed to identify and assess nature-related issues.

IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions (IUCN, 2020)
The IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based solutions has eight criteria and associated indicators that allow users to assess the aptness, scale, economic, environmental, and social viability of a nature-based intervention; consider its possible trade-offs; ensure transparency and adaptive project management; and explore possible linkages to international targets and commitments. It consists of a user guide and self-assessment tool that identifies areas for improvement and learning.

NbS Management Hub(IUCN)(IUCN)
The NbS Management Hub helps drive efforts to scale up Nature-based Solutions and supports the uptake of the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions, its mainstreaming in national policies and strategic plans as well as in financial decision-making.

Building Resilience with Nature and Gender in the Eastern Caribbean: A Toolkit to Mainstream Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (OECS, No date)
This toolkit is intended to support climate change practitioners and decision-makers in mainstreaming ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) and gender equality and social inclusion considerations into climate change adaptation-related policies, plans, and on-the-ground activities. It provides detailed guidance on how the GESI aspects should be considered as part of mainstreaming EbA and formulating concept notes for funding.

Accelerating Climate Ambition and Impact: Toolkit for Mainstreaming Nature-Based Solutions into Nationally Determined Contributions (Nature4Climate, 2019)
This toolkit is intended to support national governments in including nature-based solutions in their NDCs. The tools collected in this document offer key information, methodologies, and guidance for national authorities related to climate change, environmental management, forests, other land use sectors, and other sectors related to the NDCs.

Pathway for Increasing Nature-Based Solutions in NDCs: A seven-step approach for enhancing NDCs through nature-based solutions (UNDP, 2019)
This document provides a comprehensive guide for integrating nature-based solutions (NbS) into NDCs to enhance climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. It outlines a seven-step approach that includes understanding national GHG accounting, identifying existing NbS actions, developing rapid analysis for mitigation and adaptation potential, crosswalking NbS pathways with existing actions, and improving enabling conditions for NbS integration into NDCs.

Nature-based Solutions in Nationally Determined Contributions: Synthesis and Recommendations for enhancing climate ambition and action by 2020 (IUCN, 2019)
This report presents an overview of their current level of ambition for nature and highlights what can be done to fully harness NbS’s potential in global climate action going forward.

Guide to Including Nature in Nationally Determined Contributions (Nature4Climate & Others, 2019)
This guide is meant to serve as a tool for decision-makers at the national level as they consider nature as a part of their NDC. The checklist lists all key factors to consider when reworking the nature of NDCs.

Coastal Carbon Network (Smithsonian, No date)
This resource includes the Coastal Carbon Atlas (global) and Blue Carbon Data Inventory (for the United States). It provides data on tidal wetlands worldwide, including ecosystem type, carbon stocks, and extent. The Smithsonian offers to work with countries on incorporating this data into NDCs where complete and pointing countries to other data sources should it not be complete to determine achievable targets.

Blue Carbon/Blue Economy in NDCs (Forthcoming)

Blue Nature-Based Solutions in Nationally Determined Contributions (GIZ, 2020)
This guide incorporates blue-carbon ecosystems like mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes into NDCs. It underscores the significance of these ecosystems in carbon sequestration and encourages countries to recognize and enhance blue carbon initiatives for climate mitigation efforts.

Blue Carbon and Nationally Determined Contributions (Updated) (Blue Carbon Initiative, 2023)
This resource has been updated from the 2020 publication, incorporating additional case studies and recommendations from the 2020 NDC update cycle. The document recommends a tiered approach for various motivations and starting points, including coastal blue carbon ecosystems in NDCs.

Blue Economies and Nature-Based Solutions (for enhanced climate action in Latin America and Caribbean Small Island Developing States) (UNDP, 2023)
This resource provides guidance and best practices on blue economies, ocean-based climate action, and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for enhancing climate action. It specifically focuses on Latin America and Caribbean Small Island Developing States, but countries worldwide can utilize its lessons.

Guidelines for developing national biodiversity monitoring systems (UNECE, 2023)
These Guidelines include advice on how to develop plans and strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, mainstream biodiversity conservation objectives across policy sectors, assess progress in achieving policy targets and the effectiveness of conservation measures, minimize health, environmental and socioeconomic risks resulting from biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, and maximize benefits from biodiversity and ecosystems.

Mangrove Breakthrough Alliance – Guidance forthcoming

Nature4Climate
Nature4Climate provides various tools and case studies to support countries in protecting the natural environment and leveraging benefits for climate action.

TRANSPORT

NDC Enhancement: Opportunities in Transport (UNDP & WRI, 2020)
This working paper discusses the role of transport in national climate plans, emphasizing a comprehensive approach encapsulating the Avoid-Shift-Improve framework. It identifies gaps in current NDCs and presents opportunities for enhancing NDCs through sustainable transport solutions, which are vital for mitigating emissions and supporting development goals. The document also outlines steps for integrating ambitious transport measures into NDCs to align with the Paris Agreement objectives.

Vision 2050: A Strategy To Decarbonize The Global Transport Sector By Mid-Century (ICCT, 2020)
This document outlines a strategy for achieving deep emissions reductions in the transport sector by 2050. It provides specific emission targets and potential pathways for road, air, and maritime transport sectors to limit warming below 1.5°C. It acknowledges the need for ongoing updates and revisions to reflect changing circumstances and pledges to refine the strategy annually.

Global EV Outlook 2024 (IEA, 2024)
The Global EV Outlook is an annual publication that identifies and assesses recent developments in global electric mobility.

Building Blocks of Electric Vehicle Deployment: A Guide For Developing Countries (NREL, 2021)
This report proposes a framework for policymakers, regulators, and other decision-makers in developing countries to plan, implement, and scale EV deployment in their jurisdictions.

Recommendations for Green and Healthy Sustainable Transport (UNECE, 2021)
This document provides an overview of the current situation of the transport sector, describes the main themes that have been identified as key areas for recommendations, sets out the conclusions and recommendations for Member States, and sets out the next steps for this work following the adoption of the recommendations.

Actions to Reduce Emissions and Boost the Resilience of Freight Transport and Global Supply Chains: SLOCAT Guidelines for NDCs (SLOCAT, 2022)
These guidelines provide a brief overview of the options available for countries to take action to mitigate emissions and boost resilience in freight transport and global supply chains.

How-to Guide: Zero-emission Zones (C40, 2020)
This tool provides stepwise guidance for developing Zero-Emission Zones for freight systems. These zones are areas in cities where only zero-emission delivery and freight transport vehicles may enter. The steps provided in the guide help get buy-in and approval for these zones.

TRACE tool (New Climate Institute, No date)
The Transport Sector Climate Action Co-Benefits Evaluation tool (TRACE) is an Excel-based model that supports quantitative evaluation of selected non-climate impacts of decarbonizing the urban transport sector.

Transport Decarbonization Toolbox
The Transport Decarbonization Toolbox provides relevant inputs for the revision of NDCs and supports an extensive dialogue and engagement with cities, companies and experts in order to define relevant and implementable low emissions objectives and associated strategies, taking into account all views

Deep decarbonization technologies for sustainable road mobility (UNFCCC, 2022)
This publication by the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee (TEC) provides an overview of various decarbonization technologies for sustainable road transport, their technology readiness, and potential mitigation impacts. It also identifies innovative policy options and opportunities for policymakers to effectively support the deployment of these technologies.

Green Mobility Global Roadmap (World Bank, 2019)
This document outlines strategies and initiatives to promote environmentally friendly transportation systems. It emphasizes the importance of transitioning towards low-carbon and sustainable mobility solutions to mitigate climate change, reduce pollution, and enhance urban livelihoods and calls for integrated planning approaches that prioritize the development of compact, mixed-use communities. The document also highlights the role of policy frameworks, technological innovation, and international cooperation in accelerating the transition to green mobility.

TOURISM

Climate Action in Tourism Sector: An overview of methodologies and tools to measure greenhouse gas emissions (UNWTO, 2023)
This report provides an overview of GHG emissions in tourism and assesses the sector’s climate action efforts. It summarizes current methodologies, establishing the approaches and frameworks guiding measurement and the tools available for practitioners to measure emissions.

Policy Guidance – Glasgow Declaration (UNDP & One Planet Network, 2024)
This policy guidance has been developed to assist governmental agencies dedicated to tourism in developing policies and initiatives that will support the sector’s low-carbon transition. It provides examples of good practices from around the world to illustrate how National Tourism Administrations can implement climate-enabling policies and other initiatives and benefit from climate initiatives in other sectors.

WASTE

Sectoral implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Circular economy and solid waste management (GIZ, 2017)
This briefing focuses on integrating circular economy principles and effective solid waste management practices into countries’ NDCs under the Paris Agreement. It provides guidance on assessing current waste management practices, identifying opportunities for circular economy initiatives, and implementing policies and strategies to enhance waste reduction, recycling, and resource efficiency.

Building Circularity into Nationally Determined Contributions (UNEP, UNDP & UNFCCC, 2023)
The “Building Circularity into NDCs – A Practical Toolbox” and accompanying user guide provide countries with concrete tools, guidance, checklists, and case studies for integrating circular economy into revised NDCs. It is based on each stage of the policy cycle – from assessing the GHG emissions associated with material use and prioritising sectors/sub-sectors for the NDC to defining circular economy policy responses, identifying policy instruments, and tracking and reporting progress in national BTRs as part of the NDC process. The toolbox is designed for policymakers working on national climate policy who are familiar/leading the NDC process but require guidance to identify and integrate circular economy interventions and associated co-benefits such as dignified green jobs into the NDC. It is also for policymakers working on sustainable consumption and production, circular economy, and related fields.

Methane Finance Study Group: Using Pay-for-Performance Mechanisms to Finance Methane Abatement (Methane Finance Study Group, No date)
This report explores the feasibility and effectiveness of utilizing pay-for-performance mechanisms to finance methane abatement projects. It highlights various pay-for-performance models, including carbon pricing, emission trading systems, and results-based financing, and assesses their potential application in different sectors and regions.

WATER

NDC Enhancement: Opportunities Through Water (WRI, 2022)  
This guide is part of a more extensive series exploring NDC enhancement in various sectors. It is intended to inform future rounds of NDC revision and any implementation planning that follows. The guidance presented here can also assist in developing Long-Term strategies, National Adaptation Plans, and domestic and local water policymaking that will affect the NDCs.

Water Interactions to Consider for NDC Enhancement (UNDP & Others, 2022)
This document comprises a series of sectoral checklists developed to help climate change professionals and decision-makers identify water-related issues to address within climate plans and policies.

Watering the NDCs (AGWA, 2020) 
The report is designed to help Parties consider the reality of their water management across sectors while working towards robust and flexible solutions that can withstand the effects of climate change.

Leveraging Water for Accelerating Adaptation (GCA & Water Adaptation Community, 2024)
This factsheet explains the importance of adaptation in the water sector and makes some policy recommendations for this area.

Guidance on water and adaptation to climate change (UNECE, 2009)
This guidance advises decision-makers and water managers on how to assess the impacts of climate change on water quantity and quality, how to perform risk assessment, including health risk assessment, how to gauge vulnerability, and how to design and implement appropriate adaptation strategies.

How This Links to Other Routes

Some important linkages related to leveraging sector-specific opportunities in the NDC include the following. Navigate to these to read more:

Route: Delivers a Just and Equitable Transition

Numerous and diverse opportunities for a just transition exist at the sectoral level, such as jobs and reskilling in the energy sector, and consideration of indigenous community needs in the forestry and land-use sector.

Route: Mobilizes All-Of-Government and All-Of-Society

Sector stakeholder engagement is important when deciding which sectoral adaptation and mitigation opportunities to leverage in the NDC. Alignment with sectoral plans can support the NDC implementation.

Route: Technology and Capacity-Building as Needs and Enablers

Successfully leveraging sectoral adaptation and mitigation opportunities requires a consideration of the financial, technological, and capacity-building needs in each sector.

Route: Technically Sound and Transparent Documents

Technically sound sectoral plans and evidence will likely support more robust NDCs, providing a clearer picture of how a country will achieve its climate goals, identify areas for more ambitious action and investment, and track progress.

Route: Unlocks Finance

Accounting for sector-specific adaptation and mitigation opportunities in NDCs enhances the specificity and level of detail of climate actions, facilitating clearer project planning and making climate actions investment-ready.

Additional Opportunities

The NDC 3.0 Navigator presents eight examples of Opportunities countries can pursue to enhance NDC ambition through alignment with the Paris Agreement temperature goal.

Support Opportunities

Support is available to countries to apply the learning from the navigator and develop ambitious NDCs 3.0.

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