Developing Country Participation in Addressing Climate Change: Policy Instruments for Achieving NDCs

The Paris Agreement in 2015 laid the premise for many countries (including India) to submit concrete and ambitious climate action plans in the form of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Thus, the period, from now till 2020 is crucial for two reasons- Firstly, for countries to domestically prepare themselves for the implementation of NDCs. Secondly, to contemplate further on developing modalities, procedures and guidelines to successfully and fairly implement the Paris Agreement at the global level.

Building upon the aforementioned context, TERI organized a stakeholder workshop titled "Developing Country Participation in Addressing Climate Change: Policy Instruments for Achieving NDCs" on the July 20, 2017 at Vivanta by Taj - Ambassador, New Delhi. At the day-long conference, TERI unveiled the findings of its study in a report titled "SDG Footprints of Asian NDCs: Exploring synergies between domestic policies and international goals". This report was released alongside the newsletter titled "Mitigation Talks" (a series on Nationally Determined Contributions) and the Web App titled "NDC Footprints". Both the report and the Web App, mapped the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) linkages of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by 44 countries in the Asia region to the UNFCCC. The publications and the Web App were released and launched by distinguished dignitaries comprising of Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General, TERI; Dr Jaco Cilliers, Country Director, UNDP India; Ms Hanne Meldgaard, Minister Counsellor, Norwegian Embassy in India; and Ms Anuradha Singh, Director, MoEF&CC.

During the day, the discussions circulated around the domestic policy instruments and international mechanisms that would be required for effective implementation of the NDCs. The event aimed at providing imperative discussion points relating to each of the following themes - NDC linkages with SDGs (how congruencies between the two can help integrate policies for implementation), understanding the gender dimension in mitigation actions, the technology cooperation needs for implementing and enhancing India's NDC, the role that international cooperation and domestic innovation can play with respect to climate finance and the role of carbon markets in post 2020 regime. The interactive and riveting set of discourses resulted in the event concluding with innovative ideas and indispensible requisites for NDC implementation.

For further information please log on to the Web App: http://ndcfootprints.org/