What we do

As part of the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit in 2019, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) pledged to support at least 100 countries to enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) ahead of Conference of Parties (COP) 26. This pledge turned into UNDP’s Climate Promise, supporting 120 countries and contributing to an increase of climate mitigation and adaptation ambition. This success has led to an overwhelming demand from countries to receive UNDP’s continued support in the implementation phase, turning the countries pledges into action. At COP 26, the UNDP launched the next chapter of the Climate Promise “From Pledge to Impact” with an overall objective to support at least 100 countries, including Armenia, turning their pledges into action toward net-zero, climate resilient and sustainable development pathways. Building on the results, experience, and momentum of the first phase, and as a major contribution to the NDC Partnership, the initiative aims to scale-up support in three core areas: Scale and Speed, Amplifying Ambition, and lasting Inclusivity.

Objectives

The Climate Promise Armenia - From Pledge to Impact project is set to contribute to filling the gap in transforming the updated NDC targets into tangible actions that lead to long term low emission and climate-resilient development, will create a solid base for the implementation of set objectives under NDC 2021-2030 and will help to formulate the next enhanced NDC. The activities delivered under the project have been supplemented with the request submitted by the national authorities to the NDC Partnership, in particular to review the existing government policies for alignment with NDC target, compiling proposed changes to legislation and other regulations to align them with the NDC; building institutional capacity in responsible agencies and support active involvement of Armenian civil society, private sector and media to promote active and inclusive participation in implementation of the climate agenda.

Some results so far 

• Draft Climate Law along with amendments to a dozen laws ensure the legal base and institutional framework for the Government's climate policies (mitigation, adaptation) in regard with climate policy planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and financing.

• Regulation of the Strategic Management of the Government of Armenia outlines the methodology on mainstreaming climate change into strategic planning documents in Armenia

• Guidance on implementation of climate budget tagging practice in the budget processes    outlines implementation of climate budget tagging practice in the budget processes. Series of trainings/seminars are organized for the line ministries to apply climate budget tagging in the process of budget programming 

• Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) for Yerevan was approved by the Councils of Elders, fulfilling the Municipality’s obligations as a signatory to the Covenant of Mayors. 

• Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) for Vanadzor was approved by the Councils of Elders, fulfilling the Municipality’s obligations as a signatory to the Covenant of Mayors. 

• Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) for Stepanavan was approved by the Councils of Elders, fulfilling the Municipality’s obligations as a signatory to the Covenant of Mayors.

• Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) for Spitak is a significant step towards fulfilling the Municipality’s obligations as a signatory to the Covenant of Mayors. 

• “Assessment Of Investment and Technological Needs of the Low-Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) Implementation” conducts a comprehensive needs and opportunities assessment for the implementation of (LT-LEDS) with focus on identifying applicable climate technologies and potential projects with private sector engagement. 

• Background Report and Roadmap of Debt-for-climate swap Implementation in Armenia outlines the strategic plan to address climate change mitigation and adaptation needs while reducing the country's foreign debt. 

• Feasibility Report: “Green Hydrogen Production and Integration in Armenia” to assess the potential of integration of green hydrogen for solar energy storage and enhancement of power grid flexibility in Armenia.

• Feasibility Study: BIPV/BAPV Production in Armenia facilitates the transition to cleaner energy alternatives that mitigate climate impact through the technology transfer and production of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) and building-applied photovoltaic (BAPV) systems in Armenia.