Lessons from the INDC process in The Gambia

The Gambia's INDC process, launched in January 2015 with support from the German government and CDKN, highlights the value of using the process to build national capacity and stakeholder buy-in. However, the process also reveals significant limitations in technical analysis due to a lack of robust time series data and cross-sectoral analysis. Ultimately, the document argues that while technical inputs are essential, the final determination of INDCs is a political decision driven by leadership and political will.

• The INDC development process serves as a mechanism to strengthen national capacity by raising awareness of climate impacts and low-carbon development benefits, while stimulating cross-sectoral dialogue.
• Technical analysis in smaller, less developed countries like The Gambia is constrained by a lack of robust time series data on emissions and activity, as well as a lack of cross-sectoral analysis.
• Broad consultation across policy makers, technical experts, the private sector, and civil society at national and district levels is critical to ensure the feasibility and successful implementation of the INDCs.
• Technical analysis provides a rough direction, but the final determination of the INDCs is a political choice dependent on the leadership's political will.

APA

Freitas, S., & Vieweg-Mersmann, M. (n.d.). Lessons from the INDC process in The Gambia. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. https://cdkn.org/story/lessons-indc-process-gambia

Chicago

Freitas, Sandra, and Marion Vieweg-Mersmann. Lessons from the INDC process in The Gambia. Climate and Development Knowledge Network, n.d. https://cdkn.org/story/lessons-indc-process-gambia.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Freitas |first1=Sandra |last2=Vieweg-Mersmann |first2=Marion |title=Lessons from the INDC process in The Gambia |publisher=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |url=https://cdkn.org/story/lessons-indc-process-gambia |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{freitasndlessons, author = {Freitas, Sandra and Vieweg-Mersmann, Marion}, title = {{Lessons from the INDC process in The Gambia}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, url = {https://cdkn.org/story/lessons-indc-process-gambia}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }