Long-Term Climate Strategies

Under the Paris Agreement, countries were first invited to communicate “mid-century long-term low GHG emissions development strategies,” or “long-term strategies,” by 2020. These documents lay out countries’ visions for achieving a low-carbon economy by 2050 while also pursuing sustainable development.

Although voluntary, long-term strategies are central to the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F) and ensuring a safer future for people and the planet. They show how the transition to a low-carbon economy can create jobs, improve human health, reduce hunger and uplift people in myriad other ways. They also set long-term benchmarks to guide the development of countries’ short-term national climate plans, known as NDCs, which are submitted every five years. 

To learn more about the basics of long-term strategies, visit ‘What is a Long-term Strategy?’

World Resources Institute has developed a suite of resources to help policymakers develop and integrate long-term strategies into national policymaking. Explore research, analysis, case studies and expert perspectives here.

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