The UNFCCC Secretariat has reported that Angola, Brunei Darussalam, Jamaica, Malaysia, Nigeria, Palau and Tuvalu have formally submitted their intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs), bringing the total number of Parties that have made their submissions to 185.
1 December 2015: The UNFCCC Secretariat has reported that Angola, Brunei Darussalam, Jamaica, Malaysia, Nigeria, Palau and Tuvalu have formally submitted their intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs), bringing the total number of Parties that have made their submissions to 185.
Brunei Darussalam’s INDC, submitted 1 December, explains that the country is in the process of developing a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory, noting that its emissions are dominated by the energy sector, with electricity generation the largest source of emissions. The INDC commits to: reduce total energy consumption by 63% by 2035 compared to a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario and to increase the share of renewables by 10% of total power generation by 2035; reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the country’s morning peak hour vehicle use by 40% by 2035 compared to BAU; and increase forest reserves to 55% of total land area. Brunei Darussalam aims to achieve its energy reductions through energy efficiency and conservation policies and regulatory frameworks, including electricity tariff reform, standards and energy labeling for products and appliances, fuel economy regulation and financial incentives. The INDC also discusses expected adaptation actions in the biodiversity, forestry, coastal and flood protection, health, agriculture and fisheries sectors.
Angola submitted its INDC on 29 November. It commits to stabilize its emissions by reducing GHG emissions up to 35% by 2030 under a BAU scenario through power generation from renewable sources and reforestation. Under a conditional mitigation scenario, Angola states it could reduce an additional 15% by 2030. Angola intends to achieve its mitigation goals through the promotion of renewable energy, stabilization of emissions in agriculture production, carbon sequestration from the forestry sector, and other sector activities. The INDC prioritizes adaptation measures in the agriculture, coastal zone, land-use, forests, ecosystems and biodiversity, water resources and health sectors.
Nigeria’s INDC, dated 28 November, aims to achieve economic and social development, grow the economy by 5% annually, improve living standards and achieve electricity access for all. The INDC presents a 20% unconditional reduction target and a 45% conditional target under a BAU scenario. To achieve its mitigation objectives, Nigeria will: work towards ending gas flaring by 2030; work towards off-grid solar PV of 13GV; promote efficient gas generators, achieve 2% per year energy efficiency, with the aim of achieving 30% by 2030; shift from car to mass transit; improve its electricity grid; and promote climate smart agriculture (CSA) and reforestation.
Palau’s 28 November INDC states the country’s commitment to absolute energy sector emissions reductions, including 22% energy sector reductions below 2005 levels by 2025; 45% renewable energy by 2025; and 35% energy efficiency by 2025. According to the INDC, these actions will put Palau on a trajectory to reduce its emissions by 22% under 2005 emissions levels, or the equivalent of reducing its emissions by half against BAU in 2025. Palau further commits to additional reductions from the transport and waste sectors on a project basis. Palau notes that its implementation of measures and policies to achieve emissions reductions “will depend on the availability of partnership finance, technology support and capacity development.”
Jamaica’s INDC, dated 27 November, focuses on energy sector actions. Jamaica commits to 7.8% reduction in emissions versus BAU based on its existing pipeline of renewable energy projects and implementation of its National Energy Policy. The INDC also commits to a conditional increase of 10% below the BAU scenario, subject to international support for expansion of energy efficient initiatives in the electricity and transportation sectors. The INDC also discusses the country’s vulnerability to climate change impacts and planned adaptation actions.
Malaysia’s 27 November INDC, commits to reduce GHG emissions intensity of gross domestic product (GDP) by 45% by 2030 relative to its emissions intensity of GDP in 2005. Its commitment is 35% on an unconditional basis with a further 10% condition upon climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building. Malaysia intends to achieve its reductions through actions in the energy, industrial processes, waste, agriculture, and land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sectors. The INDC describes several barriers for implementation, including technology costs, institutional framework and capacity (e.g., long-term commitment from all stakeholders); challenges related to LULUCF legacy issues, such as historical draining of peatlands, flood risks, water and food security, coastline protection and health-related challenges, such as expected increases in dengue, malaria and food and water-borne diseases, which are all expected to increase as a result of climate change.
Submitted on 27 November, Tuvalu’s INDC commits to reduce GHG remissions from its electricity generation sector by 100% to achieve almost zero emissions by 2025. This commitment means that Tuvalu will reduce its total GHG emissions from the energy sector to 60% below 2010 levels by 2025 and will also reduce emissions from agriculture and waste sectors, conditional upon necessary finance and technology. Tuvalu stresses that these goals are “in line with our ambition to keep the warming to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius, if there is a chance to save atoll nations like Tuvalu.” Tuvalu states that its INDC focuses primarily on mitigation, noting that its adaptation actions are comprehensively articulated in other national documents, policies and plans.
All Parties to the UNFCCC are expected to submit INDCs for the Paris Climate Change Conference, which is taking place from 30 November – 11 December 2015. [UNFCCC Press Release, Brunei Darussalam] [Brunei Darussalam’s INDC] [UNFCCC Press Release, Angola] [Angola’s INDC] [UNFCCC Press Release, Nigeria] [Nigeria’s INDC] [UNFCCC Press Release, Palau] [Palau’s INDC] [UNFCCC Press Release, Tuvalu] [Tuvalu’s INDC] [UNFCCC Press Release, Malaysia] [Malaysia’s INDC] [UNFCCC Press Release, Jamaica] [Jamaica’s INDC] [UNFCCC INDC Portal]