Lesotho's Second National Determined Contribution.

Lesotho’s Second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), submitted under the Paris Agreement, outlines the country’s enhanced climate action strategy for 2024–2030. Lesotho commits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 6% unconditionally and an additional 18% conditionally, totaling a 24% reduction below the projected Business-As-Usual level of 7.2 MtCO₂eq by 2030. These targets depend on international support for finance, technology transfer, and capacity building. The NDC emphasizes adaptation as a national priority, given the severe impacts of rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather events on agriculture, water resources, and livelihoods. Adaptation measures focus on four sectors: water, human settlements, local economy, and agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU). Key actions include strengthening early warning systems, expanding rainwater harvesting, rehabilitating wetlands, climate-proofing infrastructure, and promoting conservation agriculture and climate-resilient crops. The Plan also seeks to enhance food security, restore degraded land, and increase forest cover. Mitigation efforts target energy, AFOLU, waste, and industrial processes. Proposed measures include improving energy efficiency, promoting clean cooking technologies, expanding electrification, and introducing waste-to-energy systems. Cross-cutting priorities include mainstreaming climate considerations into national policies, strengthening institutional frameworks, improving monitoring and reporting systems, and ensuring gender and social inclusion.