HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED NDCs 2025

The document serves as a toolkit for civil society to ensure that the next round of NDCs, due before COP30, are human rights-based. It argues that such policies are both a legal obligation for Parties to the Paris Agreement and the most effective form of climate action. The guide outlines four primary actions for citizens: contacting governments, participating in drafting processes, reviewing NDCs using a provided scorecard, and holding governments accountable for implementation.

• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are national plans required every five years by Parties to the Paris Agreement to show their contributions to global climate goals, reflecting their highest ambition and progress regarding equity.
• The next cycle of NDCs must be submitted by all Paris Agreement Parties in advance of COP30.
• Integrating human rights into climate action is both a legal requirement for Paris Agreement Parties and, according to the IPCC, the most effective approach to climate action.
• To be aligned with international climate objectives and human rights obligations, NDCs should include standards on fossil fuel phase-out, participatory planning, gender justice, Indigenous Peoples' rights, land tenure, just transition, and finance for adaptation and loss and damage.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2025). HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED NDCs 2025. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/NDC-Guidebook-for-CSOs_May2025.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED NDCs 2025. 2025. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/NDC-Guidebook-for-CSOs_May2025.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED NDCs 2025 |date=2025 |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/NDC-Guidebook-for-CSOs_May2025.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2025human, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED NDCs 2025}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2025}, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/NDC-Guidebook-for-CSOs_May2025.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }