A Framework for Describing Fairness and Ambition in Intended Nationally Determined Contributions

This guide by the World Resources Institute provides a framework for countries to describe the fairness and ambition of their intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) ahead of COP21. It suggests a descriptive narrative using quantitative and qualitative indicators to enhance international transparency, comparability, and trust.

• The document proposes a framework to help Parties to the United Nations Convention Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) communicate how their intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) are "fair and ambitious," as agreed in the 2014 Lima Call for Climate Action. This approach is designed as a descriptive narrative utilizing both qualitative and quantitative indicators.
• A robust description of fairness and ambition in an INDC serves several purposes: it allows countries to compare contributions with peers of similar circumstances, addresses whether a country is doing its fair share to avoid catastrophic climate change, links climate action to sustainable development, and explains the need for or provision of funding (means of implementation).
• To describe fairness and ambition, countries should evaluate their level and type of action against specific factors: emissions responsibility and profile, capabilities (including development needs), vulnerability and capacity to adapt, and potential and opportunities to act.
• The proposed framework consists of five primary components: an initial framing statement, a description of pre-2020 undertakings, an explanation of how contributions are fair and ambitious given national circumstances, an explanation of how they help achieve the Convention's objective, and additional considerations.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). A Framework for Describing Fairness and Ambition in Intended Nationally Determined Contributions. https://www.wri.org/research/framework-describing-fairness-and-ambition-intended-nationally-determined-contributions

Chicago

World Resources Institute. A Framework for Describing Fairness and Ambition in Intended Nationally Determined Contributions. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/framework-describing-fairness-and-ambition-intended-nationally-determined-contributions.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=A Framework for Describing Fairness and Ambition in Intended Nationally Determined Contributions |url=https://www.wri.org/research/framework-describing-fairness-and-ambition-intended-nationally-determined-contributions |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendframework, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{A Framework for Describing Fairness and Ambition in Intended Nationally Determined Contributions}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/framework-describing-fairness-and-ambition-intended-nationally-determined-contributions}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }