This guideline is intended to assist any country implementing a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, with a specific focus on small island developing states (SIDS). The guideline sets out a high-level outline of the steps that countries can undertake to create an overall NDC implementation plan, or roadmap, for one or more sectors.

Small island countries face common challenges when designing and implementing sustainable climate change policies and national plans. The report recommends actions which can contribute to addressing these challenges by describing a step-by-step practical approach for countries to develop their NDC Roadmap in an integrated manner. In particular, it highlights the importance of good governance structures, continuous involvement of all stakeholders, and strong engagement at the highest levels of government.  It also recommends developing a financing plan as part of the roadmap development process to ensure that the required mitigation actions will be funded.

Although many small island countries have already established NDCs, it is important that they develop plans for achieving these goals to ensure they will be met. Developing such a roadmap can bring countries numerous benefits – in addition to helping ensure fulfillment of Paris Agreement commitments, it can help establish low carbon development plans for each sector that can assist in meeting other goals such as Sustainable Development Goals, and can help mobilize private and international financing for climate mitigation and adaptation projects.

The report is the fifth in GGGI’s technical guidelines series, and is also a product of the Pacific NDC Hub, a partnership between the Pacific Community (SPC), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP), the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the NDC Partnership Support Unit (NDCP SU) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

NDC Implementation Roadmap Development: Guidelines for Small Island Developing States