The Mitigation Work Programme (MWP) at a crossroads

The mitigation work programme (MWP) was established in 2021 to urgently scale up mitigation ambition and implementation in this critical decade. This paper takes stock of experiences with the MWP to date and explores potential design options for its continuation. It first positions the MWP within the wider mitigation architecture, examining its dual purpose, safeguards and role as a platform for collective and facilitative discussions on mitigation. It then reviews the global dialogues, investment-focused events and annual decisions adopted to date. Submissions from Parties and non-Party stakeholders point to the value of the MWP as a convening space, but also to its limitations including in the depth of discussions held and the uptake of outputs. The paper unpacks the implications of different design options for the MWP going forward including its timeline, topic selection, modalities, outputs, governance and co-ordination. The analysis finds that multi-year work planning and structured engagement of relevant experts could help to strengthen the effectiveness of the MWP, enhance predictability and continuity while preserving flexibility. It also suggests that more substantive outputs and clearer connections with related processes could be developed while respecting agreed safeguards that preserve national determination.