{"id":84,"date":"2026-08-23T15:50:41","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T15:50:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elevate.webspace.durham.ac.uk\/?page_id=84"},"modified":"2026-09-09T10:36:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T10:36:14","slug":"methodology","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/elevate.webspace.durham.ac.uk\/?page_id=84","title":{"rendered":"Methodology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Methodology: Analysing Science in NDCs 3.0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The research methodology developed for the ELEVATE-ProClima<\/strong> project employs a rigorous, interdisciplinary approach to assess the integration of scientific evidence into international climate diplomacy. Specifically, our framework systematically evaluates the presence, function, and legal operationalization of the “best available science” within the third generation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Methodological Pillars<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Document Analysis<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We conducted a comprehensive, systematic review of the submitted NDCs 3.0 to map out how individual Parties translate scientific consensus into national policy and actionable climate targets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Keyword & Semantic Tracking<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The study utilizes specific data tracking to investigate how Parties refer to science. This includes isolating targeted references to the IPCC<\/strong>, the concept of “best available science”<\/strong> and broader scientific terminology.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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In-Situ Observation<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Beyond document analysis, our methodology incorporates real-time observation. By attending and monitoring COP30 negotiations, we observed how COP processes function as dynamic science-policy interfaces.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Three Guiding Questions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To systematically evaluate how Parties interpret their obligation to submit a science-informed NDCs that reflect the outcome of the global stocktake (Decision 1\/CMA.5), we examined 119 NDCs 3.0 (submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat by the end of April 2026) using the following three core questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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