Targets without Traction? Do Nationally Determined Contributions Fail to Drive Mitigation Funding Distribution?

Abstract

Given the urgency of climate action, support to developing countries must meet their needs. This brief presents key results from a DEval evaluation on climate change mitigation through development cooperation and a corresponding scientific study conducted with the University of Amsterdam. The 2015 Paris Agreement highlights "specific needs and special circumstances of developing country Parties" and recongnises "that enhanced support for developing country Parties will allow for higher ambition in their actions." The Agreement thus embodies an efficiency and equity rationale for aligning climate finance with recipient priorities. Since the Agreement’s ratification, international climate finance has nearly doubled, though funds are still seen as insufficient. This brief discusses their quality: how well climate finance provided as mitigation-related official development assistance (ODA) aligns with recipient priorities.