The project “Formulation of a Low-Carbon and Resilient Development Strategy for the Dominican Republic” was implemented to support the government in creating its Long-Term Strategy (LTS) toward climate neutrality by 2050, in line with Paris Agreement commitments. Led by the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development (MEPyD) with World Bank support, the initiative addressed the country’s key challenges: heavy reliance on fossil fuels (84% of electricity generation in 2020) and high climate vulnerability, evidenced by average annual losses of US$345 million (0.48% of GDP) from hurricanes.

The project implemented a structured methodology with four main components: (1) Joint vision design through participatory workshops with government and non-government stakeholders; (2) Advanced sectoral modeling integrating baseline scenarios and decarbonization pathways, using existing models and new analyses for energy, transport, AFOLU, and other key sectors; (3) Capacity building through training in climate modeling and strategic planning; and (4) Final LTS formulation with policy recommendations and sectoral milestones.

Key outcomes included: identification of cost-effective mitigation and adaptation options, macroeconomic analyses of sectoral transitions, and prioritization of actions aligned with the country’s updated NDC (aiming for 27% emission reductions by 2030). The process stood out for its participatory approach, incorporating inputs from over 15 national institutions and lessons from similar regional strategies. The final deliverable was an LTS articulating a clear vision to decouple economic growth from emissions, enhance climate resilience, and leverage international financing opportunities, establishing technical foundations for future updates of national climate policies.