Yemen's Nationally Determined Contribution - Vision and Framework - From Fragility to Resilience, Ambition and Inclusion NDC 3.0.

Yemen’s NDC 3.0 framework is multi-sectoral and cuts across the main systems that drive both emissions and climate vulnerability. NDC 3.0 sets out an integrated climate strategy aimed at shifting the country “from crisis to resilience, ambition, and inclusion” by 2035. Its overarching goal is to treat climate change as a core national security and macroeconomic risk, breaking the cycle of vulnerability by building a low-emission, climate-resilient economy that strengthens human well-being, restores ecosystems, and supports long-term stability and peace.
Yemen’s climate ambition is guided by 5 strategic principles. The first strategic pillar focuses on adaptation and climate resilience (“adaptation-first”), reflecting Yemen’s extreme vulnerability despite its minimal contribution to global emissions. It prioritizes strengthening water security through efficient use, aquifer recharge, and alternative sources such as desalination and wastewater reuse; transforming agriculture and fisheries through climate-smart practices, resilient crops, and efficient irrigation systems; and improving climate-resilient health systems, WASH services, and disease surveillance. It also emphasizes protecting coastal zones and infrastructure from sea-level rise and extreme weather, as well as restoring ecosystems through nature-based solutions and biodiversity conservation. The second pillar supports a low-carbon transition and mitigation agenda, building on decentralized renewable energy systems. Key actions include expanding renewable energy to at least 35% of electricity generation by 2035, diversifying the energy mix through cleaner fuels such as natural gas, and promoting circular economy approaches including waste-to-energy, recycling, and methane capture. These measures aim to reduce emissions while improving energy security and economic efficiency. The third pillar strengthens institutional capacity, data systems, and disaster preparedness, focusing on rebuilding climate monitoring and forecasting systems to support evidence-based decision-making. It includes enhancing disaster risk reduction and early warning systems, integrating resilience planning into national development processes, and establishing mechanisms to address loss and damage from climate impacts, particularly for vulnerable communities. The fourth pillar emphasizes social inclusion and climate justice, ensuring that women, youth, internally displaced persons, rural communities, and persons with disabilities are actively involved in climate planning and benefit equitably from climate investments. It promotes participatory governance where vulnerable groups are both contributors to and beneficiaries of climate action. The fifth pillar focuses on international financing and implementation, aiming to mobilize climate finance, strengthen global partnerships, and leverage technology transfer and digital innovation. It also outlines a structured roadmap to finalize and submit the NDC 3.0 by 2026, followed by a comprehensive implementation and monitoring framework through 2035 to ensure effective delivery of climate goals.
The NDC 3.0 framework adopts an integrated, whole-of-economy approach in which adaptation, mitigation, and resilience are mainstreamed across national development rather than treated as a standalone environmental agenda. The key sectors involved include: (i) Water resources (water security, aquifers, desalination, wastewater reuse); (ii) Agriculture and food systems (crops, livestock, fisheries, and agro-value chains); (iii) Energy (renewable energy expansion, oil-to-gas transition, electricity generation, and off-grid systems); (iv) Transport (fuel transition, vehicle efficiency, and electrification); (v) Health (climate-resilient health systems, WASH, and disease surveillance); (vi) Coastal zones and marine ecosystems (ports, fisheries, mangroves, and coastal protection); (vii) Environment and biodiversity (ecosystem restoration, forests, land rehabilitation, and nature-based solutions); (viii) Waste management (solid and liquid waste systems, methane capture, recycling, and circular economy approaches); (ix) Disaster risk management (early warning systems, preparedness, response, and loss and damage mechanisms); (x) Urban development and infrastructure (climate-resilient cities, housing, and critical infrastructure); (xi) Governance and data systems (climate information systems, monitoring, institutional capacity, and planning frameworks); and (xii) Social development sectors (social protection and inclusion of women, youth, IDPs, and other vulnerable groups).