Armenia’s NDCs: Path Toward Emission Reduction and Strengthened Climate Responsibility

Part 2. Author - Kristine Ter-Matevosyan

“EcoLur” Informational NGO

The Climate Action Network in the Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia (CAN EECCA) prepared an overview titled “Updating NDCs in the EECCA Region: Findings from Selected Countries,” which provides recommendations for six countries in the region - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Moldova - regarding the update of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which represent national climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. The overview was prepared in cooperation with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES). The opinions expressed may not coincide with the position of the Foundation.

This article presents the process of ongoing climate policy reforms in Armenia in the context of NDC 2.0 and NDC 3.0.

On April 22, 2021, the Government of the Republic of Armenia approved the decision “Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of the Republic of Armenia for 2021–2030” within the framework of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.

Armenia’s Second Nationally Determined Contribution established the country’s strategic course in the field of climate policy, under which Armenia commits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

By 2030, Armenia should double the share of renewable energy in electricity generation on the path toward climate neutrality in the second half of this century.

Within NDC 2.0, the following sectors are included in climate change mitigation measures:

а. Energy (including energy production and consumption)

1. Industrial processes and product use (mining industry and F-gases)
2. Agriculture (methane emissions, direct and indirect N₂O emissions from managed lands)
3. Waste (solid waste management, wastewater)
4. Forestry (reforestation, forest protection) and other types of land use: covering all sectors of Armenia’s economy. With the adoption of the new National Forestry Program, it is planned to increase forest cover to 12.9% of Armenia’s territory by 2030.

Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

An important step toward climate integration was the implementation of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Armenia and the European Union. It envisages the gradual harmonization of Armenia’s climate and energy policies with European standards. The agreement was signed in November 2017 and entered into force in March 2021.

In 2025, EcoLur prepared a report titled “Energy in the Context of Climate Change: Reflections in CEPA and Armenia’s Climate Policy.”

The National Climate Change Adaptation Plan for 2021–2025 provides for the creation of a separate adaptation program for the energy sector.

Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Climate”

A draft law “On Climate” and an accompanying package of bylaws were developed and approved by the Government on August 21, 2025. The law aims to create a legal framework for two key tasks: reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with international obligations and adaptation to climate change, including protection of the population, economic interests, infrastructure, and ecosystems.

Armenia has developed a draft updated NDC 3.0 for 2026–2035, which has been submitted for stakeholders’ review. The document was drafted considering account the results of the 2023 Global Stocktake and the 2024 UN report, which emphasize the need to strengthen climate ambition and ensure a just transition to a “green” economy.

Below are the recommendations for Armenia presented in the CAN EECCA overview “Updating NDCs in the EECCA Region: Findings from Selected Countries.”

Recommendations

Armenia should update its NDC by including development scenarios supported by transparent modeling that demonstrate consistency with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. It is also advisable to set an intermediate target for 2035 and to fix the commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 in accordance with the national strategy LT-LEDS.

The updated NDC should:

• include a plan for the phased phase-out of fossil fuels and a gradual reduction of dependence on gas imports. It should also specify renewable energy development targets in line with forecasts from international organizations.
• integrate the principles of a just transition: protection of employment and income, creation of green jobs, retraining programs, and social support for communities dependent on carbon-intensive industries.
• include a detailed plan of adaptation measures, an assessment of financial needs, and mechanisms for attracting funds from international sources, including the Loss and Damage Fund.
• provide for the establishment of transparent monitoring and reporting mechanisms, as well as the institutionalization of public and independent expert participation in climate governance.

The full article is here.

The views, conclusions, and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES).

October 22, 2025 at 19:00