Governance Mechanisms and Institutional Arrangements for preparing Long‑term Low‑emission Development Strategies: A Technical Guideline

Long-term low-emission development strategies (LTS) are vital instruments for achieving the Paris Agreement’s climate goals, providing essential guidance for deep decarbonization and just transitions beyond the scope of short-term Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This technical guideline analyses the institutional structures and governance mechanisms necessary for countries, particularly developing ones, to formulate and implement effective LTS that support both national development priorities and rising climate ambitions. The publication identifies six core institutional pillars for successful LTS: strong national coordination, robust stakeholder engagement, cross-sectoral integration, updated regulatory frameworks, sustained human capacity development, and transparent reporting aligned with NDC cycles. Countries studied reveal significant institutional gaps—limited technical and financial capacity, weak coordination, and lack of regulatory clarity—which often result in abstract strategies with little practical effect. The guideline responds by offering detailed, actionable recommendations such as establishing central coordinating entities, embedding LTS goals into sectoral plans and laws, strengthening engagement processes, building capacity across levels of government, and synchronizing review cycles with NDC updates. Moreover, the report addresses emerging issues, urging countries to target short-lived climate pollutants and pursue international cooperation to unlock resources and knowledge sharing—key for overcoming persistent capacity gaps. While acknowledging no one-size-fits-all solution, the analysis highlights adaptable good practices and stresses the importance of context-specific, inclusive, and legally grounded approaches. LTS, as described here, serve not only as ambition-raising roadmaps but as the backbone for resilient and credible national climate policies that stand up to scrutiny in global stocktakes and future COP negotiations.