UK Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are at the heart of the Paris Agreement and the achievement of its long-term goals. NDCs embody efforts by each country to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Paris Agreement (Article 4, paragraph 2) requires each Party to prepare, communicate, and maintain successive NDCs.

Together, NDCs determine whether the world achieves the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit to 1.5°C. Global North countries including the UK are expected to reduce emissions furthest and fastest on the basis of equity, and in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty in low- and middle-income countries.

NDCs are submitted every five years to the UNFCCC secretariat. In order to enhance the ambition over time the Paris Agreement provides that successive NDCs will represent a progression compared to the previous NDC and reflect its highest possible ambition.

CAN-UK’s principles for UK NDCs

1. Countries with greatest historical responsibility and capacity must go further and faster on domestic action and international climate finance to achieve global net zero by 2050 and keep 1.5°C alive.
2. The precautionary principle applies, climate action must be frontloaded.
3. NDCs must increase national ambition and action, not just articulate existing commitments.
4. The agreed transition away from fossil fuels must be included.
5. The contribution of nature must be maximised in addition to rapid and deep decarbonisation of the economy.
6. The NDC process must include meaningful inclusive public participation and education.
7. Climate Change Committee guidance must represent the floor, but not the ceiling, for UK NDCs.
8. NDCs must support a just transition; consider social, labour, and environmental factors; and reflect human rights obligations.
9. Emissions reduction targets must be delivered domestically without international off-sets.
10. NDCs must build synergies across other national and subnational plans.