Evaluating the Incorporation of Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement in the Nationally Determined Contributions of African Countries

In Africa, Nigeria is the sole country explicitly mentioning Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement in its current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The absence of similar articulation in the NDCs of other African nations can be attributed to a need for shared understanding on conceptualising, operationalising, and implementing this article. While discussions continue within multilateral processes, an ideal scenario for African countries would involve submitting revised NDCs throughout the 2023-2030 NDC cycle. These submissions would reflect the alignment of financial flows with ambitious climate goals, pathways to support long-term strategies, and contributions toward achieving both the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study embarks on a comprehensive exploration of how Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement is integrated across the 21 African nations through a systematic analysis of language and content, representing a pioneering effort in this domain.

The primary objective of this report is to deepen comprehension of Article 2.1(c) by evaluating and contextualising both global and African perspectives. Specifically, the report aims to:

• Establish a foundational understanding of how African countries incorporate Article 2.1(c) into their most recent NDCs.
• Further enhance the initiatives of the Aligning Financial Flows with the Paris Agreement in Africa (AFF) program.

Drawing from preliminary findings, our report seeks to contribute to a robust evidence base and knowledge resources, aiding African nations in identifying pathways and strategies to effectively address the objectives outlined in Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement.

Note: The research paper will be by 15 May 2024.