Entscheider

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are the climate plans of countries that have signed the Paris Agreement. Every five years, these plans need to be updated, adding more ambition to reduce emissions. In this primer, we give an introduction to NDCs, their history, and describe four essentials of a good next generation of NDCs.

The New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance will be defined at COP29 in late 2024. It will shape the future of climate finance and guide Parties' efforts to finance climate action for years to come. The Goal therefore needs to highlight the importance of adaptation finance and contain strong provisions to ensure that adaptation finance flows in line with the evolving needs and priorities of developing countries, as well as the Global Goal on Adaptation of the Paris Agreement. Our policy brief details how this can be achieved.

Pakistan's vulnerability to climate change makes the country an important partner in German climate co-operation. In this policy brief, we examine Pakistan's national climate policies and their implementation challenges. We also review Germany's climate initiatives within Pakistan and anticipate potential challenges in their bilateral climate co-operation.

Over the next few months, countries will be releasing the next generation of climate plans known as National Determined Contributions (NDCs). Read our open letter detailing the '10 tests' for global leaders to stay on track and limit global warming to 1.5°C, to avoid catastrophic climate change.

We are living in the ‘era of loss and damage’. In this era, the decision to establish the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FLD) at COP27 was a historic milestone. Seeking to inform and catalyse advocacy on the topic, we calculate fair shares for countries in providing finance to address L&D.

The sector dialogues within the National Action Plan for Business and Human Rights (NAP) are used as a support for the German Government to implement human rights due diligence. After five years in operation, this particular format has certainly proved effective. In our paper, the participating civil society organisations try to provide an overall view, and present a generally mixed picture.

Since January 2023, the rules of the Supply Chain Act in Germany have applied to all companies above a certain size. This also includes financial institutions. However, the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA), which is responsible for enforcing the law, argued in its guidance published in August 2023 that the law's due diligence obligations are not binding for financial institutions with regard to their core business. Contrary to the guidance, our legal opinion concludes that a correct interpretation of the LkSG clearly shows that financial institutions have a supplier relationship within the meaning of the LkSG with their customers for a number of financial products.

The 60th session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SBs) took place in Bonn in June 2024. This debrief provides a summary of the key discussions and outcomes from the session across the (negotiation) topics discussed, including the Mitigation Work Programme, Just Transition, Adaptation, Loss and Damage, Climate Finance, Global Stocktake, and Agriculture and Food Security. Additionally, it contextualises these developments within the big picture and offers a perspective on the upcoming expectations for COP29.

The creation of value through trade and processing of critical raw materials is a crucial step towards sustainable economic development in African countries. Our fact sheet provides an overview of some of the relevant initiatives in recent years. We highlight obstacles to the Africa Mining Vision and point to solutions through regional co-operation. In addition, the Lobito Corridor serves as case study to assess co-operation of African countries on building supply chains.

Just Transition is the buzzword of the hour. This policy brief outlines opportunities for international co-operation with India to facilitate a Just Energy Transition – the sustainable and equitable shift to low-carbon energy systems. Appropriate support can bolster India’s potential to become a leader in green and inclusive development models of the future.