A country-driven perspective on long-term low-emission development strategies (LT-LEDS). Implications for a COP26 Decision text or outcome - Study No. 07, June 2021

Alignment with the Paris Climate Agreement goals would require continuity on the country work on long-term low-emission development strategies (LT-LEDS), which has not yet been established. At COP26 in Glasgow (November 2021), Parties need to agree on a Decision that ensures continuous work on LT-LEDS and capitalizes on lessons learned to date to make the best of this instrument. This study identifies eight specific objectives that a decision at COP26 on the future of LT-LEDS should deliver, in order to enhance the work on long-term strategies, improve their effectiveness in response to the collective climate objectives, and help materialize their domestic benefits. 1- Ensure that countries continue to work on long-term strategies after 2020, thereby creating conditions for continuous improvement. 2- Acknowledge links between LT-LEDS and NDCs, while preserving their separate natures. 3- Highlight LT-LEDS as a tool for countries to explore carbon neutrality pathways. 4- Highlight LT-LEDS as an important input to upcoming international discussions on climate cooperation and ambition, notably in the context of the Global Stocktake. 5- Acknowledge the role of LT-LEDS to make financial flows consistent with the climate targets. 6- Organize support schemes to provide funding and capacity building in support of the elaboration and implementation of domestic LT-LEDS in developing countries. 7- Facilitate international knowledge-sharing on long-term strategies. 8- Suggest enhanced collaboration with Non- State Actors, notably subnational governments and businesses, on LT-LEDS