Unlocking ambition: A political reset for climate cooperation

Climate cooperation for NDCs 3.0

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The Rabat–Salé tramway service, Morocco. International climate cooperation must aim to solve climate and development issues together. Photo by Arne Hoel / World Bank, CC BY-NC-ND

In the lead-up to COP30, the third round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) must deliver a significant step change in ambition. Effective international climate cooperation among industrialised countries and emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) is crucial to driving both increased ambition and tangible delivery in both partners’ economies. Yet the current cooperation model struggles to support large-scale transitions. International climate cooperation must become more of a two-way street, closely integrated with development priorities, and receive ongoing political engagement.

International climate cooperation is essential for meaningful climate mitigation, and achieving sustainable economic growth and development. Yet it is failing to live up to its potential. The existing model is shaped by outdated development paradigms, and suffers from a lack of trust among cooperating parties and an increasing focus on national self-interests.

Real reform is needed, on both the donor and recipient sides. Effective cooperation must recognise that climate and development issues need to be resolved together. It can be achieved only through open, reciprocal dialogue and collaboration, both between cooperating countries and between climate and development communities. It also requires sustained, political support to maintain momentum.

Three strategic shifts to make climate cooperation fit for NDCs 3.0

In our briefing, we identify three core shifts to make climate cooperation fit to face the urgency of increasing mitigation ambition. This strategic reset can turn a system of fragmented, transactional aid into political grounded partnerships that build mutual trust, mobilise resources, and align incentives.

These shifts are not just possible within existing resource constraints, but necessary to keep climate ambition and the Paris system itself alive.

A) Anchor climate cooperation in strategic dialogue for the transition

International cooperation must engage with the political realities both within partner countries and in the global context. Ongoing political ownership will ensure high-level commitments are translated into action. Cooperation must be co-owned, not externally imposed, and link climate ambition with the political and economic agendas in partner countries.

B) Step up and join up diplomacy to integrate climate, finance, and industrial strategy

Raising climate ambition requires a whole-of-government approach to increase coherence, unlock investment, and enable cooperation on key sectors such as industrial decarbonisation. This systemic change requires scaling projects beyond pilots to country-wide scales, with changes to institutions and policies to match. Developing the capacity to integrate technical, financial and political cooperation requires balancing state-to-state engagement with the role of civil society and non-state actors.

C) Build a strong climate–development nexus

Climate cooperation must reinforce national development priorities while raising climate ambition. Bilateral and multilateral cooperation should centre on credible, evidence-based NDCs and Long-Term Strategies. Climate cooperation must align with bilateral, plurilateral, and multilateral efforts to maximise impacts. Coordination across recipient and contributing governments and financial actors is needed to mobilise funding and streamline administrative processes.

Read the full briefing.

Dr. Alexander Fisher co-authored this briefing during his time with the Climate Works Foundation in 2024. Heiner von Lüpke conducted interviews and contributed as a co-author to the briefing as a consultant on behalf of E3G.

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