This working paper summarises the findings from the provision of technical assistance to nine developing countries as they prepare their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) for submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The authors conducted a series of interviews with people preparing INDCs in Bangladesh, Colombia, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Kenya, Pakistan, Peru, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Uganda. This Working Paper sets out the five principal conclusions that emerge from these interviews: 1) Consider INDCs as statements of political ambition, both domestically and internationally, 2) Have a clear vision for the structure and content from the outset, 3) Build on existing policies, with targeted use of new analysis to fill knowledge gaps, 4) Build broad-based support across economic sectors through innovative approaches to consultation, 5) Make plans for effective implementation now, and consider how international support, finance and other mechanisms may adjust ambitions after 2015.

[Adapted from source]