This document discusses key elements in developing long-term low emissions development strategies (LT-LEDS). LT-LEDS aim to ensure transformational change in key sectors, attract international support, bring stakeholders together, and align policies for a low-emissions future. Developing an LT-LEDS involves setting up governance, stakeholder engagement, visioning, target-setting, financial strategies, and implementation planning. Existing LT-LEDS mostly focus on climate mitigation and sector coverage but have weak links to development goals. Strengthening links between LT-LEDS and climate commitments over time could help maximize synergies across societal goals.

1. Climate Change Expert Group www.oecd.org/env/cc/ccxg.htm
LT-LEDS – process, elements and current
experience
CCXG Global Forum on the Environment and Climate Change
October 2019
Based on: Rocha, M & Falduto, C (2019)
Key questions guiding the process of setting up long-term low-emissions
development strategies

2. 2 Climate Change Expert Group
Ensure transformational
change in key sectors
Transformation
Help attract international support
International Support
Bring up the case for a low-
emissions development
across different stakeholders
Stakeholder
Ensure effective alignment
of diverse policies
Policy Alignment
Enhance trust across countries
and improve the credibility of
international commitments
Trust
Developing a LT-LEDS represents an
opportunity for governments

3. 3 Climate Change Expert Group
• Define a special body to coordinate
• Process to engage stakeholders
• Political leadership
Setting up the LT-LEDS
governance • Vision
• Setting up targets
• Financial strategy
• Ensure policy alignments
Developing the Strategy
• Roles and responsibilities
for implementation
• Define monitoring system
• Plans for revision
Planning ahead
The LT-LEDS process
• Map existing strategies
• Map institutional
arrangements
• Map existing policies
Getting started

4. 4 Climate Change Expert Group
Potential elements of an LT-LEDS
A mid-century
timeframe for
the strategy
Long-term
vision
Quantifiable
economy-wide
long-term GHG
emissions
reductions
target.
Mitigation
Integrate
climate action,
development
and well-
being goals
Well-being &
development
Critical
component
for holistic
approach to
transition
Adaptation &
resilience
Implementation
and monitoring
In support of
implementation
of the transition
to a low-
emission
economy
Finance &
Investments
strategies
Key to create
trust in the
process
Implementation
& Monitoring

5. 5 Climate Change Expert Group
Focus on climate mitigation
Most LT-LEDS lay out a vision that focuses towards low-emission
development. Eleven strategies set quantifiable GHG emissions
reduction targets, and two countries aim at reaching net-zero GHG
emissions by mid-century.
Comprehensive sectoral coverage
All the LT-LEDS propose multi-sectoral plans, and all the strategies
include at least the energy and/or electricity sector.
Weak linkages with NDCs, SDGs and other goals
Three LT-LEDS contain strong linkages with the country’s NDC,
five LT-LEDS with the SGDs; linkages to development targets
beyond climate change mitigation or adaptation are often lacking.
LT-LEDS to date
GHG

6. 6 Climate Change Expert Group
 Crucial to strengthen the links between
LT-LEDS and NDCs over time;
 Synergies with other societal goals (well-
being, SDGs, adaptation) are still under-
explored;
 With momentum growing for Parties to
prepare and submit their LT-LEDS, there
is large potential for sharing knowledge
and best practice in the field.
Conclusions

7. 7 Climate Change Expert Group
Thank you!