The Governments of Norway and Mexico submitted their intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) to the UNFCCC on 27 and 30 March 2015, respectively.
The submissions followed those by Switzerland, and the EU, and brought the total number of parties to the UNFCCC that have formally submitted their INDCs to 32.
30 March 2015: The Governments of Norway and Mexico submitted their intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) to the UNFCCC on 27 and 30 March 2015, respectively. The submissions followed those by Switzerland and the EU, and brought the total number of parties to the UNFCCC that have formally submitted their INDCs to 32.
The 20th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 20) concluded with the adoption of the Lima Call for Climate Action (Decision 1/CP.20), which reiterated its invitation to all parties to communicate their INDCs “well in advance” of COP 21 and “by the first quarter of 2015” by those ready to do so.
In its INDC, Norway commits to a target of a reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) of at least 40% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, which will be developed into an emissions budget for the period 2021-2030. Norway intends to fulfil the emission reduction target as “a collective delivery” with the EU, and will also consider taking its commitment beyond a 40% reduction through the use of flexible mechanisms under the UNFCCC.
Norway’s INDC includes information to facilitate its clarity, transparency and understanding, including: a quantification; planning processes and national circumstances; and fairness and ambition. On adaptation, the submission refers to the information contained in Norway’s Sixth National Communication to the UNFCCC.
The submission by Mexico comprises two components: mitigation and adaptation. The mitigation component, which includes an unconditional and a conditional reduction target, covers both GHGs and black carbon, a potent short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP). Mexico’s unconditional mitigation target is a 25% reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) and SLCP emissions, below a business-as-usual (BAU) trajectory, by 2030, consisting of a 22% reduction in GHG emissions and 51% reduction in black carbon emissions. Under certain conditions, including the availability of additional resources and transfer of technology through international cooperation, Mexico will consider raising its 25% reduction target to 40% by 2030, compared to BAU.
The adaptation component of Mexico’s INDC includes the strategic aims of protecting communities from the adverse impacts of climate change, and increasing the resilience of strategic infrastructure and ecosystems.
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres encouraged countries to present their INDCs “as soon as they are able.” [UNFCCC Press Release on Norway] [Norwegian Government Press Release] [Norway’s INDC] [UNFCCC Press Release on Mexico] [Mexico’s INDC] [UNFCCC INDC Portal]