Advancing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
NDCs, a cornerstone of the Paris Agreement, are country-specific plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate impacts. They operate on a five-year cycle, with each cycle requiring greater ambition than the last. The next cycle begins in 2025.
At COP29, there was a stronger recognition of the need for sector-specific actions, such as phasing out fossil fuel subsidies. This focus on actionable measures marks an encouraging step forward. However, challenges remain, particularly for developing nations that lack the financial resources to meet their climate targets. These disparities highlight the urgency of strengthening international support mechanisms.
One notable example of leadership was the UK’s enhanced climate ambition, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announcing a target of an 81% emissions reduction by 2035. While this commitment is promising, questions remain about how this will be achieved and the extent to which local communities will be involved.
A positive shift at COP29 was the growing emphasis on transparency and accountability. Countries are now required to provide regular progress updates on their NDCs, a move that ensures commitments translate into action.
Elevating Indigenous and local voices
The adoption of the Baku Workplan was a significant yet underreported achievement at COP29. This initiative amplifies the voices of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, prioritizing knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and the integration of diverse worldviews into climate policy.
Led by the Facilitative Working Group (FWG) of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP), the Baku Workplan focuses on embedding Indigenous perspectives in climate strategies. By drawing on traditional knowledge, policymakers can develop more effective and inclusive policies that foster resilience in vulnerable communities.
Incorporating Indigenous knowledge into NDCs offers invaluable insights into sustainable resource management and adaptation strategies—areas where modern approaches often fall short. This collaboration enriches global climate solutions and ensures that diverse voices are heard in decision-making processes.
From commitments to action
While progress was made at COP29, there is still significant work to be done in areas like adaptation, resilience building, loss-and-damage funding, and technology transfer. The focus now must shift to implementation, ensuring that commitments lead to tangible results. Key priorities include:
- Strengthening institutions to support effective climate governance.
- Investing in capacity-building to empower nations and communities.
- Encouraging cross-sector collaborations to drive innovation.
The urgency of the climate crisis requires immediate action. We need solutions now, as delays risk exacerbating the already dire consequences of global warming.
Looking ahead to COP30
As the world prepares for COP30 in Belém, Brazil, there is a sense of determination to move forward. The negotiations at COP29 served as a stark reminder of the climate crisis’s urgency, and the global community must rise to the challenge.
Solving the climate crisis requires collective effort at all levels—local, regional, and national. Only by working together can we create a sustainable and equitable future for all.
About Dr Antoinette Nestor
Dr Antoinette Nestor is a Bye-Fellow and Director of Studies at Girton College, and Affiliated Lecturer at the Department of Land Economy at the University of Cambridge. Her primary research interests lie at the intersection of public interest law, access to justice, community economic development, sustainability, and the environment. She focuses on linking private law, planning, environmental and climate change law, and international law to address urban poverty and redress social exclusion. Her work also explores the role of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and their connection to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Ecosystem Services.
Visit her profile.
