Financing intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs): enabling implementation

Working paper 425:

This paper reflects on the current and potential role for finance in Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). It explains what the INDCs are and how can be implementable, what do submitted INDCs show and what information could countries provide on finance.

INDCs were intended to be a way to clarify how each Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) could contribute to averting dangerous climate change and demonstrate progress from their current position. Many INDCs have now been submitted. They vary considerably, reflecting national circumstances. Most developed countries that have submitted their INDCs have moved little from their existing positions on mitigation while few mention adaptation. Moreover, there is often a difference between what governments commit to and what they actually do. Finance, technology and capacity can be the difference between achieving – or perhaps even exceeding – commitments, or failing to meet them.