Background

At the UN climate change conference in Paris in December 2015, 196 countries adopted the Paris Agreement - the first ever, legally binding universal pact that sets out a global action plan for limiting global warming to "well below 2°C" starting from 2020. The Agreement, which officially entered into force on 4 November 2016, built upon the foundation of climate pledges from 187 countries, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Countries are expected to submit updated and more ambitious NDCs every 5 years - meaning that they will become the main vehicle for illustrating a country's strategic vision on climate change in the context of sustainable development.

Along with the opportunity and momentum created by the Paris Agreement comes the important challenge of transforming these NDCs into tangible actions that lead to long-term, zero-carbon and climate-resilient development. As evident in the submitted NDCs, and based upon UNDP-direct experience, most developing countries will need sustained financial, capacity building and technical support to regularly prepare, implement, and report on national actions under the Paris Agreement and more specifically against NDC targets for reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs).   

Project objectives

The mission of the UNDP NDC Support Programme is to bring about a real and positive change for living and future generations by advancing ambitious progress towards resilient, zero carbon development. This global transformation, which the global community adopted through the Paris Agreement in 2015, is driven by national climate plans or Nationally Determined Contributions (“NDCs”), which outline each country’s contribution to these goals.  Capitalizing on UNDP’s strength as a convener, integrator and development advisor, the programme empowers countries to create integrated climate and development solutions.

We work with countries to achieve transformational development progress by scaling up action on climate change. Specifically, countries will use their NDCs as a tool for transitioning to a climate-resilient, zero-carbon pathway which will help them lock in adequate sustainable infrastructures to meet the complex economic, societal and planetary needs of the 21st century. We currently serve 25 countries, including Kenya, directly - and have the opportunity to share our expertise with many more through our work with partners or global and regional events.

The programme supports countries on eliminating barriers to this ambitious transition, in particular by formulating a systemic, integrated approach through governance and policy frameworks, inclusive leadership, transparency systems, blended climate finance and implementation of NDC objectives. There are several key facets to the global strategy of the UNDP NDC Support Programme:

• Country-driven Process: Ranging from national climate plans (NDCs) to mitigation actions, it is countries themselves who decide how to address climate and development issues. Technical support is custom-tailored to the respective needs of the country.
• Participatory Approach: Initiatives are developed based on a consultation with key-stakeholders from both public and private sectors, as well as civil society.
• Integrated Vision: Countries are encouraged to take a holistic view to NDC implementation, addressing both climate and development objectives.
• Inspire Learning: We disseminate interesting ideas and good practices through peer-to-peer knowledge networks and forums, reaching beyond environmental stakeholders to advance cutting-edge climate and development solutions.

In Kenya, UNDP is working closely with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Climate Change Directorate to progress the NDC reporting process, focusing on key sectors like water, energy and agriculture as well as ensuring that reporting mainstreams gender considerations to frame Kenya's reporting through a holistic sustainable development lens.