As governments prepare to submit new NDCs by the end of 2025, the Mangrove Breakthrough NDC Task Force developed four new policy guidance resources that provide practical and concise guidance for governments seeking to recognize the benefits of mangroves in their revised NDCs.
Brief 1: Examples of Mangroves in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Mangrove-positive NDC targets are ambitious, science-based, and developed through inclusive and participatory decision-making processes. Targets reflect both the blue carbon mitigation benefits as well as the adaptation, coastal resilience, and other ecosystem services of mangroves. Targets have clear actions for effective implementation and are linked to and aligned with other national policies and priorities. This policy brief provides examples of mangrove-positive NDC targets that countries have previously submitted to the UNFCCC. These examples can serve as a resource for governments who seek to recognize mangroves in their enhanced NDCs.
Brief 2: The Case for Mangrove-Related Indicators under the Global Goal on Adaptation
This guidance document is intended to contribute to the refinement of indicators for measuring progress towards the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), specifically focused on target 9d, under the UAE-Belém Work Programme on the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience (UAE FGCR). Target 9d calls for “Reducing climate impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity, and accelerating the use of ecosystem-based adaptation and nature-based solutions, including through their management, enhancement, restoration and conservation and the protection of terrestrial, inland water, mountain, marine and coastal ecosystems”. Recognising the climate adaptation and resilience benefits of nature-based approaches, specifically concerning mangrove ecosystems, the document outlines the case for adopting mangrove-related indicators, supported by existing data, currently under evaluation for target 9d, noting that these indicators could also be used to measure aspects under other GGA targets.
Brief 3: Reasons for Governments to Include Mangroves in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Mangrove ecosystems provide countless benefits to coastal countries by buffering floods and storms, sequestering and storing large amounts of carbon, and providing innovative opportunities to finance climate action. Yet more than half of these ecosystems are at risk of collapse by 2050. There are many reasons to conserve and restore vital mangrove ecosystems, including for climate adaptation, mitigation, finance, and loss and damage. To combat the decline of mangrove ecosystems, countries have the opportunity to develop targets that outline goals to conserve, restore, and sustainably manage mangroves within Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement.
Brief 4: Template Language for Including Mangroves in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
As governments are required to submit new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by the end of 2025, they have the opportunity to enhance their national commitments while recognizing the potential of mangrove ecosystems for climate action, including mitigation and adaptation. This document provides mangrove- positive NDC template language for the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of mangrove ecosystems that countries can choose from and adapt based on their national circumstances and priorities as they revise their NDCs.