Long-term Strategies for Decarbonization

Alongside Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), long‑term low‑emission development strategies (LT‑LEDS) form the backbone of the Paris Agreement and pave the way
for low‑emission development pathways around the globe. Their coherence and mutual alignment are therefore critical to ensuring ambitious and effective action towards limiting
the increase in global average temperature and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

This publication, reviews the literature on long‑term decarbonization strategies at three levels – national, sectoral, and city.

At the national level, it examines the literature on long‑term low‑emission development strategies submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as well as long‑term decarbonization strategies prepared under the Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project, through which over 20 countries have submitted their decarbonization pathways.

At the sectoral level, it Analyzes the power sector, as electrification across end uses–including transport, industry, households, and services–emerges as the key lever for decarbonization.

Finally, it looks at urban areas, which account for over 70 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and where many cities have announced their own decarbonization pathways for achieving net zero.

Download