The NDC Partnership is a network of over 120 countries, facilitated by UNFCCC, that is dedicated to helping each other strengthen their Paris Agreement Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Pledges. The Partnership has just released Version 3.0 of the NDC Navigator, an interactive tool that supports the development of updated country NDCs to be submitted in 2025. Below are Climate Scorecard Country Managers’ advice to their countries of what needs to be done to strengthen their NDCs based on the framework of the NDC Partnership Navigator. 

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Secretary Jennifer Granholm
Secretary for the Department of Energy
United States of America
Washington, DC

Dear Secretary Granholm,

I am the Climate Scorecard Project Country Manager for the United States. Climate Scorecard is a non-profit organization working to strengthen climate mitigation and adaptation efforts in leading greenhouse gas-emitting countries.

(www.climatescorecard.org )

I am contacting you to share suggestions from the new NDC Partnership on strengthening our Paris Agreement Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).  The NDC Partnership brings together more than 200 members, including more than 120 developed and developing countries and more than 80 institutions , to create and deliver on ambitious climate action that helps achieve the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNFCCC facilitates it. The Partnership recently issued Navigator Guidelines to countries for strengthening their NDCs that can be accessed by clicking https://ndcnavigator.org/routes/

I am using insights from the newly released NDC 3.0 Navigator to provide the following suggestions.

#1 Aligning the United States’ goals for the Paris Agreement’s Temperature Goal

For the United States to align to reduce the temperature change to 1.5°C:

1. Mandate a federal requirement for each state to adopt a policy to reduce its carbon footprint to 65% of 2005 levels by 2030. Although the US has decided its NDC goal is to “reduce its carbon footprint to 50-52% of its 2005 level by 2030,” the reality is that this is unlikely to take place when there is such a variance in local, state, and federal governmental officials’ agendas. I think the goal should be to mandate a federal requirement for each state to adopt a policy to reduce its carbon footprint to 65% of 2005 levels by 2030. This would set the United States on a trajectory to significantly mitigate its current impact and allow each state to be held accountable for its pollution. It is not currently the goal of each state to establish such a plan–only a select few, such as Minnesota and Michigan, have adopted a relatively similar goal (and those are at 50%). I believe it should be required for each state to establish this goal, regardless of who is in office. Republicans might be climate deniers, but the majority of Americans now state that climate change is one of the biggest issues that they see as a major concern in the United States today.
2. Establish a cap-and-trade system for each state to implement. The United States’ irresponsibility was shown during the Trump presidency and should not be ignored as an example of what happens when a government forgets the will of its people. Cap-and-trade allows each state to establish precedence for reducing its carbon footprint, holds big polluters accountable, and makes them pay more for a carbon footprint. A few states also have this, and I want to see more of it.
3. Increase renewable energy production ninefold to combat climate change by 2050. The United States needs to rapidly and safely plan ways to engage in renewable energy production in the next few decades to keep the temperature change to 1.5°C. The United States needs to continue educating, training, and employing sustainable planners for renewable energy use and those working in the renewable energy industry. To combat climate change, the United States must continue to invest in climate-friendly energy sources and green jobs to expand this section of the economy and divest from fossil fuels.

#2 Aligning the United States with the global goal of adaptation

1. Create a national climate vulnerability assessment. The United States government could conduct a national climate vulnerability assessment regularly to ensure that its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) goals are being reached. The United States could continually reassess its progress and determine where funding and government support could be increased to support its efforts to mitigate climate change’s effects.

 

#3 Support a just and equitable transition

 

1. Focus on restorative justice practices to support marginalized communities. The frontline, marginalized communities are the most vulnerable. They are especially susceptible to unfair working conditions and displacement due to climate change and have few resources to fight it. These communities must be appropriately accommodated and trained in preparation for the impacts of climate change. When the members of these communities are equipped with the knowledge, skills, funding, and resources to combat climate change, they are less likely to experience the devastating effects of climate change, such as migration and adverse health effects.
2. We are realigning public dollars at all levels toward policy structures that rely heavily on holistic, nonmarket-based regulatory mechanisms that explicitly account for local impacts. There should be investment from both the public and private sectors to create a new national infrastructure agenda and further democratic participation in this type of governmental infrastructure. The principles of justice and equity should be the focus of our economy, or we will continue to be influenced by carbon. We must re-localize and democratize primary production and consumption by building up local food systems and clean energy production.

By implementing these specific actions, the U.S. could significantly enhance our Paris Agreement NDC, ensuring it contributes to global climate goals while promoting sustainable development and social equity domestically.  Climate Scorecard strongly recommends incorporating these recommendations into the upcoming NDC revision.

Please let me know if you agree with these suggestions and need any support in implementing them.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Thank you for your continued commitment to advancing America’s climate leadership.

Thank you,

Abby Carlson

United States Climate Scorecard Country Manager