Role of Article 6 in NDC 3.0
Introduction
Countries are currently preparing their next round of NDCs, known as NDCs 3.0. The new NDCs represent a critical step in strengthening global climate ambition under the Paris Agreement. As countries move from setting broad climate targets toward detailed implementation, Article 6 plays a pivotal role as a key mechanism to help close the gap between ambition and action. By enabling international cooperation through carbon markets and non-market approaches, Article 6 provides countries with tools to achieve their targets more cost-effectively while enhancing transparency and environmental integrity. This chapter provides an early overview of how countries that have so far submitted their NDC 3.0 are engaging with international market cooperation under Article 6.
NDC 3.0 Submissions
As of August 2025, a total of 30 Parties had submitted their NDC 3.0. The map above shows a geographical diverse pattern, with submissions concentrated in Europe and Africa. The early submissions provide an important snapshot of global ambition, showing the need and central role of international cooperation in achieving climate goals
Intention to Use Article 6
Article 6 is critical in enabling countries to achieve their climate targets. Out of the 30 Parties that have submitted their NDC 3.0 so far, 63% (19) Parties state their intention to use Article 6 to enhance ambition and achieve their targets. In addition, 20% (6) Parties are still considering the use of Article 6 and 17 % (5) do not intend the use of Article 6 leaving it open for potential future engagements. This indicates that Article 6 is critical in enabling countries to achieve their climate targets.
Types of Voluntary Cooperation
Of the Parties intending to use Article 6, 11 reference cooperative approaches under Article 6.2 which enables the use of ITMOs to meet NDC commitments. Three Parties make reference to the Article 6.4 mechanism, emphasizing interest in generating high-quality emission reductions through an international crediting framework. In addition, two Parties highlight Article 6.8 which establishes a framework for non-market approaches to climate cooperation and three of the Parties do not mention the type of voluntary cooperation. Beyond the core provisions of Article 3 five Parties note that they will integrate their domestic Emissions Trading Systems (ETS) within the scope of Article 6 cooperation, while three regional trading systems are also mentioned as part of countries’ market-based strategies
Aligning Article 6 with NDC Frameworks
The year 2025 represents a pivotal milestone for global climate policy as countries submit their NDC 3.0 under the Paris Agreement. An important question is how international cooperation, through Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, can help countries go further. By working together and using carbon markets, countries can reduce emissions more affordably and also support sustainable development. In this section, we look at two case studies to see how countries are aligning their climate plans with Article 6 to strengthen their ambition.
Case Study 1: Zambia (Host Party)
Zambia has strengthened its climate-policy framework, with its NDC 3.0 marking an important step toward reducing emissions across the whole economy. Zambia highlights the use of international carbon markets to help meet its conditional targets, with Article 6 as a way to enhance its ambition.
Zambia has been continuously strengthening its climate-policy commitments through its NDC Submissions. Zambia’s first NDC (2015) focused on a few sectors including energy, agriculture, and forestry. Its NDC was mainly conditional with a limited reference to market-based mechanisms, reflecting its early stage of engaging in international carbon markets.
In its second NDC (2021), Zambia expanded sectoral coverage to seven areas, including forestry, waste, and industrial processes. This indicated a growing ambition in terms of mitigation, but despite this progress, the country’s conditions for engaging with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement remained undeveloped.
The third NDC (2025) marked an important step forward in ambition and scope. Zambia now targets a 73% emissions reduction by 2040, sectoral coverage has grown to 12 areas, with the inclusion of cement production under the Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU) sectors that are often difficult to decarbonize. This clear outline of sectoral priorities and the role of Article 6 is particularly important for the private sector, helping investors identify viable project opportunities and mobilize finance.
A key consideration for Zambia is the conditional nature of its NDC, which emphasizes the role of Article 6 cooperation in mobilizing resources. ITMOs can provide the bridge for delivering mitigation in hard-to-abate sectors while also attracting investment. Strengthening institutional frameworks, establishing authorization processes, and ensuring environmental integrity will be critical steps for translating ambition into implementation.
Zambia’s NDC3.0 uses Article 6 as a strategic tool to unlock its full potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions across multiple sectors while also supporting its sustainable development goals. Its success, however, will depend on the establishment of robust institutional systems, clarity in authorization and Share of Proceeds arrangements, and the ability to access climate finance and international support that ensures environmental integrity and equitable benefits for the country’s development.
Case Study 2: Japan (Acquiring Party)
Japan is promoting international cooperation through carbon markets. The JCM and the Green Transformation (GX) Emissions Trading Scheme demonstrate how domestic and international market instruments can be aligned with NDC commitments The country’s NDC 3.0 demonstrates both increased ambition and stronger institutional alignment with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
In its first NDC (2016), Japan set a 2030 target of reducing emissions by 26% compared to 2013 levels. The JCM was included to achieve a 50–100 million t-CO2 equivalent total emission reductions globally. Japan updated its NDC in 2021 and raised its ambition to 46% by 2030, with an additional effort toward 50% while the JCM target was increased to 100 million t-CO2.
The third NDC raised ambition, aiming to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 60% in fiscal year (FY) 2035 and by 73% in FY 2040, respectively, from its FY 2013 levels, as ambitious targets aligned with the global 1.5°C goal and on a straight pathway toward the achievement of net zero by 2050. To achieve this goal, the JCM will be used to generate ITMOs while the GX ETS was introduced to link domestic emissions trading with international cooperation. Accordingly, the JCM target was enhanced from 100 million t-CO2 to 200 million t-CO2.
Japan’s approach highlights two main considerations for aligning with Article 6. First, scaling up the JCM allows Japan to enable host countries to reduce emissions while also generating ITMOs that count toward Japan’s own targets. Second, the GX ETS strengthens this framework by linking domestic and international efforts, while the clear authorization of ITMOs adds transparency and accountability
Overall, Japan’s NDC3.0 demonstrates a more advanced and integrated use of Article 6. By strengthening the JCM and launching the GX ETS, Japan has positioned itself as a leader in making carbon markets a practical tool for both national targets and global climate action.
The regional categorization presented in this chapter is based on the UNEP CCC Article 6 Pipeline. Note that, “intention to use Article 6” refers to cases where Parties mention in their NDC a form of engagement with Article 6 which includes references to carbon market legislation, institutional arrangements related to Article 6, or an explicit statement of intent to use Article 6 or international carbon markets. In this context, “considering use of Article 6” refers to Parties which mention the potential to use of or consideration for using cooperative approaches under Article 6, or no decision has been made yet for how or if to use cooperative approaches. The phrase “does not intend to use Article 6” refers to Parties that do not plan to use Article 6. While these countries do not explicitly rule out future participation, their current position is that they have no intention to use Article 6.
Data Sources for Chapter 7
UNFCCC NDC 3.0
UNFCCC NDC Registry