Should there be clearer rules for what goes into national climate plans?
Further guidance in relation to the features of nationally determined contributions
Each country writes its own climate plan, called an , and renews it every five years. They come in very different shapes: some set a clear emissions cap, others only promise to slow growth.
Countries agreed years ago to come back to the question of whether plans should share common features. They keep postponing it. It is on the COP31 agenda again.
Whether to adopt further guidance on features of NDCs, consideration of which has been repeatedly deferred.
NDC features have been on the agenda since the Paris rulebook; earlier consideration ended without guidance.
Why it matters
Today the plans are hard to compare. Clearer rules would make it easier to see who is doing enough.
How we got here
- 2015
COP21, ParisEvery country must write a national climate plan (NDC) and update it every five years.
- 2018
COP24, KatowiceThe rulebook sets what information plans must include, but leaves "further guidance on features" for later.
- 2025
COP30, BelémThe third round of plans is due. Many arrive late, and together they still fall short of the Paris goals.
Where COP31 picks up: Common features for national plans have been postponed for years. The question is back on the agenda.
Have COPs worked? The bigger picture →What they will argue aboutOpen issues
- Rules or freedom? Many countries see common features as a limit on their right to decide their own plan.
- Mandate. Adopt guidance, continue consideration, or close the item.
Agenda items
From the provisional agendas, FCCC/CP/2026/1 and FCCC/PA/CMA/2026/1. Draft texts, versions and bracket counts appear here once talks open.
What has happened so farStatus log
This question carries on from COP30 (see How we got here, above). Talks resume on 9 November: from then, every new draft and every change of status is listed here, with the time and a link to the document.