UN-Water Analytical Brief on Water for Climate Mitigation

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are designed to be both ambitious and actionable. Currently, ambition is often measured by emission targets, while actionability is judged based on existing regulations, plans, and stakeholder engagement. However, for NDCs to drive real change, they must include short-term actions that directly address the drivers of emissions, not just target reductions. These actions should be aligned with a long-term development perspective focused on systemic transformations. To achieve this, NDCs must be viewed not just as ambition-based commitments, but as strategic tools that enable differentiated leadership and international collaboration. This shift would make NDCs more relevant for practical implementation. This Policy Brief does not prescribe the content of NDCs but offers a framework for assessing new NDCs as they emerge.