Fostering Success Factors for NDC Implementation – Lessons From The Good Practice Database

The adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015 marked a new chapter for the international cooperation on climate change. All Signatories that have ratified the Paris Agreement are required to formulate Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and regularly report about the progress towards achieving them. Poorer countries receive financial, technical and knowledge-based support to build up capacities and facilitate implementation of their NDCs.

This policy brief aims to inform the debate on how to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement through a successful implementation of countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The analysis of good mitigation, adaptation and cross-cutting country practices has revealed that there exist certain factors that facilitate the successful materialisation of such practices. Key factors across country contexts for the realisation of ambitious climate policies are “political buy-in”, “stakeholder engagement” and “scientific analyses and technical support”. Going forward in NDC implementation, it seems worthwhile to devote more attention to them while acknowledging country conditions and priorities.

Against this background, this policy brief puts forward concrete guidance how to positively influence the factors to assist NDC implementation and raise ambition in the medium- to long-term. It is meant to provide in-country institutions (ministries, national authorities, local project implementers) with insights on how they can leverage success factors for the benefit of ambitious climate action.