Under the Paris Agreement, Parties are to put forward their next nationally determined contributions (NDCs) in February 2025. The outcomes of the first global stocktake (GST1) provides key signals to inform this next round of NDCs, including the adoption of economy-wide emission reduction targets, as well as global calls to achieve net-zero emissions in the energy sector by mid-century and halt deforestation and forest degradation by 2030. This paper explores how Parties can take forward these global calls in their next NDCs. Information provided by Parties in their NDCs and biennial transparency reports (BTRs) on their responses to the global energy and forestry calls will be important for assessing collective ambition and progress towards the GST1 mitigation outcomes. Drawing on lessons from experiences, this paper also explores how to gear the next NDCs towards implementation and investment. Underpinning NDCs with more granular information, whether in the NDC or in subsequent documents, establishing robust whole-of-government approaches and inclusive stakeholder engagement processes, can help to meet the needs of different actors, unlock finance and investment, and support the delivery of climate actions.
