National Climate Change Committee convenes on NDC review process

Saint Lucia is currently undertaking consultations to develop more ambitious climate action commitments for the next five years. The National Climate Change Committee has reconvened as part of the process to review the country’s Updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0). (An NDC is a country’s climate pledge under the Paris Agreement to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to climate change impacts.)

Chaired by the Department of Sustainable Development, this committee comprises stakeholders from the ten climate change priority sectors, including private sector, civil society and youth, weighing in on what the new pledges should look like.

The revision process is being assisted through the Supporting the implementation of NDCs in the Caribbean – transforming the transport and energy sectors towards a low-carbon and climate resilient future (NDC-TEC) Project.

Chief Sustainable Development and Environment Officer, Dawn Pierre-Nathoniel says the project is furnishing Saint Lucia with technical support from an institute that strengthens the national planning of vulnerable countries in international climate negotiations.

NDCs are revised and communicated to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) every five years. In its most recent NDC, Saint Lucia committed to reducing emissions from energy and transport sectors by 7%, below 2010 emissions by 2030.

Anita Montoute, Permanent Secretary in the Department of Sustainable Development says, “If we were to grade ourselves on the achievement of this target, our report booklet would show continuous ambitious action to achieve these commitments, with over 67 climate-specific projects currently being monitored and supported across the 10 climate-priority sectors.”

The Committee’s engagement of these sectors, along with a National Youth Leaders Consultation held previously has been described as productive.

In keeping with the Paris Agreement’s progression principle, Saint Lucia is now expected to submit a more ambitious NDC in 2025. Prior to this submission the NCCC is expected to meet once again to validate the contents of our 2025 NDC.