The urgency of the COVID-19 pandemic overshadows countries as they work feverishly to expand social protection systems, support small business and provide stimulus to large industries and economic sectors. Nevertheless, the climate crisis still looms and begs integration into the recovery process to jumpstart mainstreaming sustainability at this pivotal point when all systems are resetting. Even as UNDP is assisting many countries across the globe to assess the socioeconomic impacts and design recovery strategies, we maintain the Climate Promise commitment the Administrator outlined in December to support at least 100 countries to enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Current commitments by countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris Agreement are inadequate to keep temperature rise from reaching precipitously dangerous levels.

Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and St Vincent and the Grenadines have been added to the list of countries with approved work plans to examine new sectors for emissions reduction, quantify mitigation co-benefits of climate change adaptation and other actions as small island developing states (SIDS) continue to lead the call for climate action. Being among the most vulnerable to climate impacts, Caribbean SIDS demonstrate their moral leadership with bold and ambitious visions such as 100% renewable energy by 2030 and being the “first climate resilient nation”.

The NDC enhancement process will engage multiple sectors, including agriculture, energy, health, tourism, manufacturing and infrastructure for a whole-of-society approach to tackling the climate challenge. UNDP is also leveraging partnerships with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) as well as the UN System to deliver high quality technical assistance to build the evidence base for countries to set and monitor emissions targets, and to develop the capacities and policy environment for implementation. As the current situation reinforces to us – resilience must be built across the board and it cannot wait.