Intended Nationally Determined Contribution – what is it about?

INDC stands for Intended Nationally Determined Contribution. It identifies the actions a national government intends to take under the future UNFCCC climate deal, due to be agreed in Paris in December 2015.  Climate Policy Observer  will explain:

"INDCs are, therefore, the basis of post-2020 global emissions reduction commitments that will be included in the future climate agreement. The acronym “INDC” was introduced at COP19 in Warsaw (in 2013).  The term “contributions” emerged as a compromise between “QUELRO – quantified emissions limitation and reduction objective” and “NAMAs – nationally appropriate mitigation actions” that in the Kyoto Protocol’s language and its follow up identify Annex I and non-Annex I emission reduction actions, respectively. INDCs indeed refer both to developed and developing countries’ plans.

In their INDCs, UNFCCC Parties are requested to outline the steps they are taking/will take to reduce emissions at national level. According to latest negotiating developments in Lima (COP20), countries might also address other issues, such as undertakings in adaptation planning.”

This information is taken from the International Center for Climate Governance (ICCG) in Italy. It is now an internationally renowned center whose research activities focus on the design of climate policy and governance. Located on the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore, ICCG works with economics and political sciences researchers who explore the interdependencies between economic, social, cultural, ethical, and political aspects of climate governance.

Read more: http://climateobserver.org/open-and-shut/indc/