The Paris Agreement was a turning point in climate negotiations, setting ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Central to these mitigation efforts are Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), climate action plans submitted every five years by parties to the Paris Agreement. Each round of NDCs aims to be more ambitious than the last, detailing each party's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Rounds of Submission
Since the Paris Agreement was negotiated during COP21 in Paris in 2015 and came into force in 2016, the first round of NDC submissions took place between 2020 and 2021. The second round is due in February 2025, following COP29 (to be held in Azerbaijan from November 11 to 22, 2024) and preceding COP30, which will be hosted in Brazil at the end of 2025.
The Role of COP29
While the responsibility for reviewing NDCs lies with the presidency of COP30, COP29 plays a critical role in bolstering ambition, encouraging parties to submit more impactful and ambitious NDCs. This support aligns with the objectives of the historic Paris Agreement, guided by recommendations from previous climate conferences.
COP29 aims to enhance NDC ambition through several key mechanisms:
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Financing Known informally as the "Financial COP," COP29 is anticipated to focus on replenishing financial resources for climate action. This funding can support the implementation of NDCs, particularly for developing, least developed, low-income, and vulnerable nations.
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Technology Transfer Technology is pivotal in accelerating adaptation and mitigation efforts. Previous COPs have highlighted the importance of cooperation among parties to share technology that can drive collective climate progress. COP29 seeks to further strengthen countries' capabilities by providing the technological tools essential for implementing their NDCs.
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Collaboration COP conferences provide an invaluable platform for exchanging expertise, fostering partnerships, and enhancing collaboration between parties to help them achieve shared climate goals.
Through these and other support measures, COP29 is expected to empower participating countries to submit more ambitious NDCs in the upcoming round, raising the global bar for climate ambition.
