An assessment of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) policies in Paraguay's agricultural sector

<p dir="ltr">This thesis examines the institutional and governance dynamics shaping the implementation of Paraguay’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the agricultural sector. Despite the existence of national climate strategies and participation frameworks, implementation efforts remain hindered by persistent coordination failures, power asymmetries, and systemic exclusion. Using the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework, the study investigates how formal and informal rules influence actor interactions, decision-making processes, and accountability mechanisms within Paraguay’s climate policy arena. Data collection included 25 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector. Findings from Chapter 1 highlight the fragmented nature of institutional coordination, the dominance of agribusiness actors in shaping policy agendas, and the limited inclusion of marginalized voices such as Indigenous groups and smallholder farmers. Chapter 2 identifies critical barriers such as reliance on external funding, limited technical capacity, and legal reforms that have weakened participatory spaces. Nevertheless, the study also reveals emerging opportunities for improving institutional capacity, stakeholder engagement, and intersectoral collaboration. The analysis emphasizes that climate governance in Paraguay is not merely a technical challenge but is deeply embedded in political and institutional contexts. It concludes that effective NDC implementation requires co-governance arrangements that enhance trust, redistribute power, and integrate diverse knowledge systems. By bridging institutional theory with empirical evidence, this thesis contributes to the understanding of climate policy implementation in Latin America and offers practical insights for fostering inclusive and adaptive environmental governance.</p>