SCALA Mongolia

Mongolia's first nationally determined contribution (NDC) was submitted in 2016, updated in 2020, and its NDC3.0 was submitted to the UNFCCC in September 2025. Mongolia's NDC mitigation target is articulated as a 30.3 percent unconditional reduction in total national GHG emissions by 2035 compared to the projected emissions under a business-as-usual scenario, focusing on the transport, industry, agriculture and waste sectors, among others. Additional key mitigation priorities include limiting and reducing the number of livestock while enhancing livestock quality and herd structures, improving the management of livestock manure, protecting pastureland soil and establishing forest strips around arable lands to preserve soil moisture and reduce wind and water erosion. 

The NDC includes a distinct adaptation component targeting animal husbandry, pastureland, arable farming, water resources, forests and biodiversity. For animal husbandry and pasturelands, priorities include maintaining ecosystem balance, strengthening legal frameworks, increasing forage cultivation and water supplies for livestock, and enhancing drought disaster management systems. For arable farming, the NDC outlines plans to improve legal frameworks and introduce water- and labor-efficient technologies for potatoes, vegetables, fruits and berries. Additional measures include fencing and planting strips around croplands, as well as zero tillage with straw mulch to retain soil moisture. 

 Mongolia's first National Adaptation Plan (NAP) was submitted to the UNFCCC on 8 April 2025, including specific chapters on animal husbandry and arable farming. It identifies priority adaptation actions including improving pasture management, regulating livestock numbers in line with pasture carrying capacities, improving animal breeds, and promoting intensified animal farming. The country has also submitted its National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and is currently developing its NBSAP, which is undergoing government review. 

SCALA supports Mongolia in strengthening mitigation and adaptation efforts across livestock, sustainable pastureland management, arable farming and fruit production, as well as cross-cutting areas such as water collection ponds and soil carbon sequestration — all key priorities of the country's NDC and NAP. 

Notable work on carbon markets has seen SCALA publish an evaluation of pasture carbon sequestration schemes, accompanied by a policy brief, and develop operational guidelines for establishing a Mongolian Domestic Carbon Market. An assessment on forest strips around arable land as a soil erosion adaptation strategy, using FAO's SEPAL tool, further recommends their inclusion in Mongolia's NDC. 

In the Zavkhan province, an assessment on surface water harvesting structures identified cost-effective solutions for livestock husbandry and arable farming, proposed construction guidelines, and recommended key policy amendments. A dedicated policy brief also explored climate action opportunities linked to Mongolia's new livestock tax law and its implications for herding practices. 

Strengthening Mongolia's MRV system remains a priority, supported by digital tools and soil carbon mapping across the Khargana steppe pasturelands. Pastoralists are also benefiting directly from the 'Digital Nomads App' — developed with Hackathon-winning 'Team Splicing' and officially handed over to MoFALI — providing tailored livestock advisory services to reduce land pressure and lower GHG emissions. 

Progress and prospects 

Mongolia's NDC3.0, submitted to the UNFCCC in September 2025, reflects SCALA's sustained technical contributions to the country's climate policy process. A sectoral working group convened by SCALA engaged 110 stakeholders to update agriculture and livestock NDC targets, resulting in 15 adaptation and mitigation measures for animal husbandry and arable farming. SCALA also supported the NDC3.0 Agriculture Working Group and provided technical inputs for the forthcoming 'Blue Book' of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. 

Gender and social inclusion are central to SCALA's approach in Mongolia. In collaboration with UNDP's Climate Promise, the programme contributed to the Gender Target Gap Assessment for the NDC3.0 and Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS). A capacity-building training on gender-responsive climate budgeting, held in March 2025 with UNDP's Climate Finance Network, reached 41 stakeholders across key government ministries, with further trainings planned for March 2026. 

On climate finance, a project is now operational with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to integrate livestock methane targets into national climate policy, building on USD 300,000 awarded in December 2024 to expand FAO's GLEAM tool for Mongolia's livestock context.  An AI-driven analysis of NDC3.0, NBSAP and NAP alignment is underway to strengthen policy coherence and guide climate and biodiversity finance mobilization. 

Looking ahead, SCALA is advancing a concept note on impact-based climate finance for sustainable pastureland management, with inputs from women's groups, private sector stakeholders and smallholder farmers. A policy brief on private sector engagement in the leather industry highlights opportunities to improve supply chains and attract investment.