Drivers of Nationally Determined Contributions: An Exploratory Look at Several Developing Countries

The Paris Agreement, the principal international treaty governing climate change, requires each country to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) which include quantitative targets for greenhouse gas reductions. This study aims to identify the motivating factors behind NDC creation generally and the mitigation targets specifically using a case study approach. Semi structured interviews were conducted with key representatives from Argentina, the Gambia, and some other developing countries. Interview responses are interpreted in context with literature for each country. Results show that NDC creation processes vary, but generally involve holding meetings to educate and involve stakeholders. In most cases, stakeholders are found to be knowledgeable and able to suggest mitigation actions or to contribute data. Least developed countries recruited international help for technical support. International factors are shown to be the most important drivers of increasing the ambition of the mitigation targets. Specifically, this includes the desire to improve a country\u27s national image and to obtain higher levels of international aid. Domestic political factors are also likely to be influential: politicians could use their leverage to change the NDCs to match their own agenda