Nationally determined contribution
On the 27th of February 2015, Switzerland became the first nation to submit its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution. The country reported a temperature rise of 1.75 degrees Celsius since 1864. This specific data point anchored their pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030. Their submission marked a turning point in international climate negotiations. Before this date, countries had made voluntary pledges without legal weight. The term INDC described these initial contributions before the Paris Agreement took full effect. Switzerland's early action set a precedent for other nations to follow. It demonstrated that even small economies could lead on the global stage.
Prior to the Paris Agreement in 2015, these commitments were known as intended nationally determined contributions. They remained non-binding pledges made voluntarily by each country. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change asked all parties to publish their intentions at the conference held in Warsaw, Poland. That event occurred in November 2013. The new term NDC emerged after the agreement entered into force during 2016. Countries ratified the pact and converted their INDCs into formal NDCs unless they chose to submit fresh targets immediately. These updated contributions remain legally unenforceable yet carry greater political weight than their predecessors. The shift represented a compromise between different legal obligations used under the Kyoto Protocol. Developed and developing nations now face equal expectations regarding emission reductions.
Nations must update their national plans every five years according to Article 4 of the Paris Agreement. This cycle ensures periodic revisions reflect changing circumstances or increased ambitions. Biennial progress reports track how well countries meet their stated objectives. These reports undergo technical review before feeding into a global stocktaking exercise. The stocktake operates on an offset five-year cycle to assess collective sufficiency. As of the 31st of March 2020, 186 parties had communicated their first NDCs to the UNFCCC Secretariat. Eighty-five percent of surveyed countries reported challenges due to short timeframes available for development. Less than one quarter received international support to prepare these initial documents. More than a quarter indicated they were still applying for assistance. The process allows domestic and transnational political processes to shape future commitments.
Data from 2021 shows that emissions reduction rates need to increase by 80 percent beyond current NDC targets. Without this additional effort, meeting the 2 degree Celsius upper target range remains unlikely. Current trends suggest only a 5 percent probability of staying below 2 degrees of warming. Even if all signatory systems met their pledges and continued post-2030, the probability would rise to just 26 percent. Major emitters face very low chances of success without further action. A report by the United Nations in 2020 stated the world is way off track at current levels. These figures highlight the gap between national promises and required global cuts. Limiting temperature rise to well below 2 degrees requires cutting emissions by roughly 50 percent by 2030.
Countries face significant barriers when establishing mandates for coordinating actions around climate goals. Resource constraints hinder developing nations from implementing necessary policies effectively. India submitted its INDC in October 2015 with a specific financial requirement attached. The nation wrote it needs at least 2.5 trillion US dollars to achieve its 2015 through 2030 goals. International climate finance must cover the difference over what domestic sources can provide. Other challenges include difficulty securing high-level political support within governments. Lack of certainty on content requirements creates confusion during drafting. Limited expertise for assessing technical options slows progress across many regions. No single methodology fits every country due to unique local circumstances.
Common questions
When did Switzerland submit its first Intended Nationally Determined Contribution?
Switzerland submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution on the 27th of February 2015. This submission marked the country as the first nation to file such a document under international climate agreements.
What is the difference between INDC and NDC in climate policy?
The term INDC described initial contributions before the Paris Agreement took full effect, while NDC emerged after the agreement entered into force during 2016. Countries converted their INDCs into formal NDCs upon ratification unless they chose to submit fresh targets immediately.
How often must nations update their national plans according to Article 4 of the Paris Agreement?
Nations must update their national plans every five years according to Article 4 of the Paris Agreement. This cycle ensures periodic revisions reflect changing circumstances or increased ambitions for emission reductions.
Why do countries face challenges when establishing mandates for coordinating actions around climate goals?
Resource constraints hinder developing nations from implementing necessary policies effectively and limit their ability to secure high-level political support within governments. India requires at least 2.5 trillion US dollars to achieve its 2015 through 2030 goals due to these financial barriers.
What percentage of surveyed countries reported challenges due to short timeframes available for development as of March 2020?
Eighty-five percent of surveyed countries reported challenges due to short timeframes available for development as of the 31st of March 2020. Less than one quarter received international support to prepare these initial documents while more than a quarter indicated they were still applying for assistance.
All sources
26 references cited across the entry
- 1journalCountry-based rate of emissions reductions should increase by 80% beyond nationally determined contributions to meet the 2 °C targetPeiran R. Liu et al. — 9 February 2021
- 2webThe Paris AgreementUNFCCC
- 3webThe Paris Agreement – the 1.5 °C Temperature GoalCarl-Friedrich Schleussner
- 4webNDC 3.0
- 9webWhat is an INDC?2014-10-17
- 10journalThe Paris Agreement and the New Logic of International Climate PoliticsRobert Falkner — 2016
- 19bookThe Science and Politics of Global Climate Change: A Guide to the DebateAndrew Dessler — Cambridge University Press — 2020
- 22webINDC - Submissions
- 24newsIndia to cut emissions intensity2015-10-03