A Mitigation Analysis of CDKN Priority Countries

This report by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) provides a high-level snapshot of the mitigation landscapes in 14 priority partner countries and regions to inform the development of intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) for COP21. It analyzes national legislation, emission targets, Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs), and donor-funded projects, highlighting the diversity in ambition and capacity across developing nations.

• There is significant variation in the scale and type of climate action across CDKN partner countries. For instance, India and Indonesia have established climate legislation and quantitative emissions targets, whereas Rwanda prioritizes adaptation and addresses mitigation indirectly through its economic development strategy.
• National emission targets do not necessarily correlate with the volume of emissions. Some Least Developed Countries (LDCs) have set ambitious targets despite minimal global contributions; for example, the Republic of the Marshall Islands pledged a 40% reduction (against 2009 levels) while contributing less than 0.1% of global emissions, compared to India's 20-25% pledge (against 2005 levels) while representing 5% of global emissions.
• Many partner countries view economic development as a primary long-term priority that may conflict with mitigation, leading to a stronger focus on adaptation and resilience. However, some are integrating low-emissions paths into development plans, such as Ethiopia's Growth and Transformation Plan and Rwanda's Vision2020.
• Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean and Pacific are highly vulnerable to sea-level rise and extreme weather. Because fuel consumption is their primary emission source, mitigation efforts are concentrated in the energy sector, including energy efficiency and renewable energy pledges made in the 2012 Barbados Declaration.
• Forestry and land use are critical mitigation areas for countries with significant rainforests. Colombia, Indonesia, and Peru participate in UN-REDD to implement the REDD+ mechanism. Deforestation rates vary, with Ethiopia losing up to 1.5% of rainforest cover annually (from a small area of 12m ha) and Indonesia losing an estimated 0.9% (from a large area of 131m ha).
• In Africa, CDKN partner countries generally have low emissions and lack quantitative economy-wide reduction targets, though Ethiopia and Kenya have quantitative deforestation targets. Ethiopia's Climate-Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) initiative aims to limit 2030 emissions to 150 Mt CO2e.
• Indonesia has set a conditional emissions reduction target of 26% to 41% against business as usual by 2020, depending on international support. Its mitigation efforts are underpinned by legislation covering forestry, energy, and the cement industry.
• India's mitigation strategy focuses on renewable energy (especially solar) and energy efficiency, as detailed in its 12th Five Year Plan. It has committed to a 20-25% reduction by 2020 from 2005 levels (excluding agriculture) under the Copenhagen Accord, though it views these as voluntary measures.
• Peru's 'PERU2021' initiative sets voluntary targets for 2021 to coincide with its bicentennial, including reducing emissions to 68 MtCO2e per year. Key focus areas include LULUCF, where it pledges to conserve 54m ha of forest and reduce primary forest deforestation to zero by 2020.
• El Salvador promotes a 'Mitigation-Based Adaptation' (MBA) strategy to link adaptation with low-emissions development, aiming to lead other Central American countries in this approach despite adaptation remaining its primary priority.

APA

Picot, H., Law, D., & Sura, K. (2014). A Mitigation Analysis of CDKN Priority Countries. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/A-Mitigation-Analysis-of-CDKN-Priority-Countries-copy.pdf

Chicago

Picot, Helen, Dani Law, and Kiran Sura. A Mitigation Analysis of CDKN Priority Countries. Climate and Development Knowledge Network, 2014. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/A-Mitigation-Analysis-of-CDKN-Priority-Countries-copy.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Picot |first1=Helen |last2=Law |first2=Dani |last3=Sura |first3=Kiran |title=A Mitigation Analysis of CDKN Priority Countries |publisher=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |date=July 2014 |url=https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/A-Mitigation-Analysis-of-CDKN-Priority-Countries-copy.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{picot2014mitigation, author = {Picot, Helen and Law, Dani and Sura, Kiran}, title = {{A Mitigation Analysis of CDKN Priority Countries}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2014}, month = jul, url = {https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/A-Mitigation-Analysis-of-CDKN-Priority-Countries-copy.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }