In 2015, during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21), the Paris Agreement was signed, an international commitment aimed at curbing global warming and the resulting global climate crisis by limiting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the participating countries. 

The nations formalized their commitments to the agreement through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Nationally Determined Contributions) – each country's strategy to reduce its own GHG emissions and build a resilient, low-carbon future. 

For the agreement to be fulfilled, countries review their NDCs every five years, aiming to increase the ambition of their targets to limit the rise in Earth's temperature. While reviewing NDCs creates opportunities for countries to align their climate and sustainable development agendas, this update also presents challenges, such as revising or implementing public policies, as well as mobilizing financial investments.

Through the Climate Action Enhancement Package (CAEP – Climate Action Enhancement PackageThe NDC Partnership provides more targeted support to help countries set more ambitious goals and accelerate the implementation process of their NDCs. 

The technical and financial support proposed by CAEP is provided to countries through 46 strategic partners, including ICLEI South America. This is done through coordination with the Ministry of the Environment of Peru (MINAM – Ministry of the Environment) and support from Cities for Life Forum, ICLEI currently provides technical support to Peru through a capacity-building cycle, involving seminars and virtual working meetings with representatives of the country's regional governments, to present fundamental concepts and guidelines in the preparation and management of GHG inventories at the subnational level. The sessions will take place between February and March 2021, with an expected participation of 50 professionals from different regional governments.

Peru has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 301 tp³/month by 2030, compared to 2010. 

According to Gabriel Quinjandría, Peru's Minister of the Environment, the involvement of local governments is one of the new features proposed in the NDC update and has helped improve coordination between the public and private sectors and civil society. "This exchange has generated a much greater space for dialogue and trust than in the previous process.". Watch the full interview. 

The revised NDCs help to build high-quality strategies for reducing GHG emissions, as well as contributing to the leadership of countries in their journeys towards sustainable development.