The Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) refers to commitments made by countries that have ratified the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieve global climate goals.

The Paris Agreement itself was adopted in 2015 by nearly all countries worldwide, with the primary objective of limiting global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius, and ideally no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the 21st century. As part of this agreement, each country is required to contribute by setting its own nationally determined commitments and targets, known as NDCs.

NDCs are critically important documents because they represent commitments to safeguard the planet from the climate crisis. The level of ambition and the effectiveness of NDC implementation will determine whether humanity can keep global warming within limits that remain relatively safe for life on Earth.

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To achieve climate targets, countries are granted flexibility to define their own targets and actions based on national capacities, needs, and resources. NDCs typically cover a range of elements, including GHG emission reduction targets, climate change adaptation strategies, and policies related to climate action and renewable energy.

While NDCs allow countries to determine the most appropriate pathways to fulfill their climate commitments, they must still align with shared global objectives. For example, some countries may prioritize emission reductions in the energy sector, while others may focus on preventing deforestation, promoting reforestation, or deploying green technologies.

One of the key aspects of NDCs is the principle of transparency and accountability. Parties to the Paris Agreement are required to regularly report their progress toward achieving NDC targets to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat. This enables continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure countries remain on track toward global climate goals.

Indonesia’s NDC

In terms of submission and updates, Indonesia is among the countries actively revising its climate commitments. In 2016, Indonesia submitted its First NDC to the UNFCCC as part of its obligations under the Paris Agreement. This initial NDC outlined targets and actions to reduce GHG emissions and enhance climate change adaptation.

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In its First NDC, Indonesia set a target to reduce emissions by 29 percent through domestic efforts (unconditional) and up to 41 percent with international support (conditional) by 2030, compared to a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario. The NDC covered five sectors: forestry, energy, agriculture, industrial processes and product use (IPPU), and waste—reflecting a comprehensive approach to addressing climate change.

The measures outlined in the First NDC emphasized the importance of sustainable and integrated approaches, incorporating a wide range of policies and strategies to reduce emissions and strengthen adaptation to climate impacts. Indonesia’s NDC also highlighted the importance of international cooperation to achieve higher ambition, particularly through technology transfer, climate finance, and capacity building.

In 2021, Indonesia updated its climate commitment through the Updated NDC. While the overall emission reduction targets remained unchanged—29 percent unconditional and up to 41 percent conditional—the emission reduction targets in the energy and forestry and land-use sectors were slightly increased, particularly under the conditional scenario. The Updated NDC also introduced climate adaptation targets, focusing on economic resilience, social and livelihood resilience, and ecosystems and landscapes.

In 2022, Indonesia further increased its ambition through the Enhanced NDC (ENDC). Under this submission, emission reduction targets rose to 31.89 percent through domestic efforts and up to 43.2 percent with international support.

In 2024, the Indonesian government announced plans to once again update its climate commitments through the Second NDC. The government has pledged that the Second NDC will align with the global goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The government also committed to updating the emissions baseline, using 2019 GHG emission levels as a reference, and to including a new sector—Ocean and Marine Affairs. In addition, several emerging issues will be incorporated, including Loss and Damage, the Global Goal on Adaptation, and Just Transition.

The Preparation of the Second NDC Must Be Participatory

The Paris Agreement mandates inclusive stakeholder engagement throughout its processes, including the preparation of NDCs. Therefore, in drafting the Second NDC, the government must open the process widely to public input and ensure meaningful participation of groups most affected by climate change—such as Indigenous Peoples and local communities, women, children and the elderly, persons with disabilities, smallholder farmers, traditional fishers, workers, and other vulnerable groups.

Through meaningful participation of civil society, including vulnerable groups, the Second NDC will become more credible and legitimate, both in the eyes of the public and within the international community.