24 April 2024 Port Vila, Vanuatu Stakeholders from across Vanuatu’s public and private sectors, civil society, and development partners convened today to shape the country’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), an ambitious new climate action plan that will build on Vanuatu’s globally recognised leadership on climate action. Hosted by the Ministry of Climate Change, the consultation puts Vanuatu on track to finalise and submit its updated NDC well ahead of the UNFCCC September deadline. The NDC 3.0 outlines Vanuatu’s climate ambition for the next ten years, covering mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage priorities, considering the outcomes of the last Global Stocktake. In his opening remarks, the Director General of the Ministry of Climate Change, Mr. David Gibson, stressed that “Every country in the world has a legal obligation to submit its nationally determined contribution to show how we aim to keep global heating to below 1.5 degrees, as well as build resilience through adaptation and addressing worsening losses and damages. “The Director General confirmed that he “wants this third version of Vanuatu’s NDC to be even better and more ambitious than before.” In his welcome remarks, the new Deputy Country Representative of Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Vanuatu, Mr. Dheeraj Arrabothu, emphasized: “GGGI is honoured to collaborate with the Government of Vanuatu on the revision of Vanuatu’s NDC 3.0. We remain committed to supporting the government in translating the updated targets into concrete actions through the mobilization of climate finance, the development of enabling policy frameworks, and targeted capacity building.” He also extended his gratitude to the Regional Pacific NDC Hub for its valuable support in reviewing the progress of the existing NDC and facilitating the development of Vanuatu’s new NDC for the period 2025–2030. Vanuatu’s last NDC, submitted in 2021, was hailed as one of the best in the world, pledging 100% renewable energy for electricity generation by 2030 and setting out bold plans for adaptation and climate resilience. The updated NDC 3.0 will continue this legacy, but with even stronger commitments that address the escalating impacts of climate change and reflect the reality of a narrowing window to prevent catastrophic impacts on our islands. What sets Vanuatu’s NDC apart is that all 216 draft targets are derived from existing sector policies, demonstrating how seriously all stakeholders are taking climate change already in their plans and strategies. The consultation today focused on three key elements: assessing progress on existing climate targets, identifying new opportunities in sectoral plans and policies, and determining financing needs and sources. Vanuatu’s NDC 3.0 will be one of the few in the world that not only fully cost its commitments but also indicates the source and type of financing required to implement each proposed intervention. As Director of Energy, Mr. Antony Garae, explained, “Vanuatu’s goal is a 1.5-aligned economy-wide NDC covering major greenhouse gases, and focused on domestic emissions reductions, with full acknowledgement of our adaptation and loss & damage action. We need finance to implement these actions and our NDC makes it clear exactly from where we expect this money to come from.” Director General Gibson thanked all stakeholders for ensuring that climate action is “everyone’s business” and providing such concrete and tangible suggestions to improve the draft NDC. He specifically acknowledged the ongoing technical and financial support of the Regional Pacific NDC Hub, through the Global Green Growth Institute in facilitating the compilation of Vanuatu’s NDC, led by a group of ni-Vanuatu (Indigenous citizens of Vanuatu) drafting experts from the Ministry of Climate Change. As the drafting of NDC 3.0 continues in the months ahead, Vanuatu remains unwavering in its commitment to international climate leadership. Hon. Prime Minister Jotham Napat has written to all Heads of Government worldwide over the last month, urging them to meet the moment, and Vanuatu’s ambition, with the action-oriented NDCs that the climate crisis demands. Vanuatu’s message is clear: climate action is non-negotiable—it is existential. Through Vanuatu’s NDC 3.0, the country is not only standing up for its people and islands but also sending a message of resolve to the global community.