The Paris Climate Agreement contemplates a global climate outcome based on the aggregated contributions of individual countries. As such, the Agreement's success will depend entirely on what happens around the world at the national level. Achieving an important national policy most often begins with lawmaking. This is no less true here. Indeed, without legislation that enshrines a country's Paris contributions as national policy and law and propels those contributions forward through a law-based implementation mechanism, meaningful forward movement will prove elusive.
To support the progress of those countries who are serious about meeting their Paris goals, the Environmental Law Institute offers this straightforward Model Law Implementing the Nationally Determined Contributions Submitted Under the Paris Agreement for a national-level, climate change law, taking the Paris Agreement as its starting point. The model framework is a living document and periodically updated based on new developments and considerations. We welcome your comments on possible improvements or adjustments. Comments should be addressed to goins@eli.org. The most recent update was on April 1, 2019.
Earlier versions of the model law have been translated into the six UN languages (plus Portuguese) to facilitate its use around the world. We are hopeful that this can at least provide a starting point in the important legislative work that lies ahead for most countries. NOTE: The most recent update was on April 1, 2019 (English version only). Conforming amendments are being made to the various translations of the model law, and will be noted here as updates are made.
Arabic
Chinese
English
French
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
We welcome any suggestions on how to improve this tool, and will update it as appropriate based on the comments we receive.
Scott Fulton
President
Environmental Law Institute