Experience sharing on long-term strategies (LTS) in least developed countries

The Paris Agreement invites countries to formulate and communicate ‘long-term low greenhouse gas emissions development strategies’ (LTS) and to do so by 2020. The Paris Agreement is flexible on what the LTS should look like, so countries must determine what suits them best in terms of both content and process.

For the world’s least developed countries (LDCs), the proportion of global greenhouse gases they emit is negligible, so their LTS will likely be different to those of industrialised, wealthier countries.

Whereas most long-term strategies submitted so far are directed towards decarbonising the economy, LDCs are not solely focusing their strategies on mitigation activities, but just as prominently on enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability. As LDCs strive to achieve development priorities, long-term strategies can provide the framework for doing so sustainably over decades to come.

Even more, in the rapidly changing context of the global coronavirus pandemic, the LTS can serve as a guide to development pathways post-COVID-19 that are resilient, sustainable and just.

This webinar was the second in a series focusing on LDCs and the Paris Agreement: moving from international commitments to national implementation, and shared the experiences of LDCs in the process of developing their LTS.

Not only this showcased the unique opportunities to be reaped in the process, but facilitated dialogue on common challenges and concerns. LDC practitioners who are leading their country’s LTS work shared lessons learned and key success factors so far. They also shared context-specific motivations for undergoing this voluntary international commitment.