A Brief Guide For Reviewing Countries’ Long-term Strategies

This guide by the World Resources Institute provides a framework for civil society stakeholders to evaluate national long-term low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions development strategies. It outlines the importance of these strategies in linking short-term nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement's goals and details the essential elements, such as mitigation targets, adaptation plans, and monitoring processes, that should be present in a robust strategy.

• Long-term strategies serve as a critical bridge between short-term nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and the overarching objectives of the Paris Agreement, facilitating a "whole-of-society transformation". They provide benefits such as promoting technological innovation, supporting equitable transitions, and signaling long-term societal changes to investors.
• A comprehensive long-term strategy should include a long-term vision that integrates climate and development agendas, alongside a quantified, economy-wide mid-century emissions reduction target. This target should consider the timing of emissions peaking and the date for reaching net-zero GHG emissions, guided by the goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees C or well below 2 degrees C.
• Effective strategies incorporate adaptation and resilience goals to address intensifying climate impacts, such as rising sea levels and changing precipitation patterns. The guide emphasizes "transformational adaptation" over incremental action to avoid locking in ineffective measures and recommends identifying vulnerable groups and sectors.
• Strategies should define pathways and interim milestones—specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) metrics—to track progress toward mid-century goals. These milestones, such as the share of renewable energy by 2030, should ideally inform future NDCs and cover the country's most important sectors.
• Because of technological uncertainty and evolving science, strategies must include clear monitoring plans and periodic revision processes. This ensures the strategy reflects the latest innovation and data, and provides opportunities for governments to consult with stakeholders to increase climate ambition.
• The development process of a long-term strategy should be transparent and inclusive to ensure broad ownership and societal support. This includes engaging diverse entities such as labor unions, businesses, and civil society to manage trade-offs and ensure a just transition.
• As of July 2020, nineteen countries and the EU had adopted net-zero targets, although the total fraction of global emissions covered by such formally adopted targets was approximately 10%.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). A Brief Guide For Reviewing Countries’ Long-term Strategies. https://files.wri.org/s3fs-public/reviewing-countries-long-term-strategies-guide.pdf

Chicago

World Resources Institute. A Brief Guide For Reviewing Countries’ Long-term Strategies. n.d. https://files.wri.org/s3fs-public/reviewing-countries-long-term-strategies-guide.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=A Brief Guide For Reviewing Countries’ Long-term Strategies |url=https://files.wri.org/s3fs-public/reviewing-countries-long-term-strategies-guide.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendbrief, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{A Brief Guide For Reviewing Countries’ Long-term Strategies}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://files.wri.org/s3fs-public/reviewing-countries-long-term-strategies-guide.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }