State of the Nationally Determined Contributions: Enhancing Adaptation Ambition

This research paper by the World Resources Institute analyzes the adaptation components of updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) from the 2020-2021 submission cycle across 86 countries. It compares these updated submissions to the first round of NDCs using a qualitative assessment framework to evaluate adaptation ambition, ownership, and implementation readiness.

• A comparison of 86 countries shows that updated NDCs from the 2020-2021 cycle include more adaptation components and more detailed actions than the first round, with approximately half of the analyzed NDCs in both rounds containing an adaptation component.
• Updated NDCs demonstrate increased country ownership and better alignment with other policy processes, such as national adaptation plan (NAP) processes, and incorporate more current impact, risk, and vulnerability data, including more frequent identification of specific vulnerable population groups.
• While the number of prioritized adaptation actions has increased—particularly regarding water, food and nutrition security, and nature-based solutions—most of these actions are not yet investment or implementation ready, lacking clear costs, time frames, and indicators.
• There have been improvements in the integration of gender equality, local knowledge, and indigenous concerns in updated NDCs, although direct consultation with indigenous and local groups still requires improvement.
• References to Loss and Damage have not increased in updated NDCs, and there is a persistent lack of understanding and references to transformative adaptation, including innovation or shifting locations due to climate impacts.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). State of the Nationally Determined Contributions: Enhancing Adaptation Ambition. https://www.wri.org/research/nationally-determined-contributions-enhancing-adaptation-ambition

Chicago

World Resources Institute. State of the Nationally Determined Contributions: Enhancing Adaptation Ambition. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/nationally-determined-contributions-enhancing-adaptation-ambition.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=State of the Nationally Determined Contributions: Enhancing Adaptation Ambition |url=https://www.wri.org/research/nationally-determined-contributions-enhancing-adaptation-ambition |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendstate, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{State of the Nationally Determined Contributions: Enhancing Adaptation Ambition}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/nationally-determined-contributions-enhancing-adaptation-ambition}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }