Subnational Action - NDC Overview / NDC Align

Widespread legal frameworks but major implementation gaps at the state level

• There is an urgent need for further engagement on climate action from Brazil’s 27 federal units (26 states + the Federal District). 23 states and the Federal District have either a State Climate Law or Policy in place, but many of these date back to over a decade ago, and were never fully operationalized. The remaining 3 states are still developing their original State Policy. 
• 21 of the State Climate Laws set out requirements for climate action plans or strategies relating to climate mitigation and/or adaptation. But the evidence shows that plans have only been put in place in half of the states that were required to do so, and only 2 of these plans fully conform to the requirements set out in the law.
  Although climate action plans are currently under development in a further 5 of these states, this data suggests a major implementation gap at the state level.
• It is worth noting that 4 states have introduced climate action plans without being required to do so by a State Climate Law.
• Most states participate in some form of inter-state climate cooperation or regional initiative, and many have both designated bodies to oversee climate action within the state administration and fora to facilitate public participation and stakeholder engagement.
• However, few states have complete emissions inventories or risk and vulnerability assessments, even though these are frequently required by state laws.