What Progress Has the UN Climate Change Convention Made on Nationally Determined Contributions?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- UNFCCC released a synthesis report for 2025 NDCs showing significant advancements.
- 64 new NDCs submitted, covering 30% of global emissions.
- Progress is evident, but deeper cuts are necessary.
- Urgent action is needed to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius target.
- Global collaboration is critical for effective climate action.
United Nations, Oct 29 (NationPress) The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has unveiled its synthesis report for nationally determined contributions (NDCs) for 2025, highlighting significant advancements in quality, credibility, and economic inclusion.
Released in anticipation of COP30 in Brazil next month, this report encompasses national climate strategies formally submitted to the NDC registry between January 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, as reported by Xinhua.
The findings indicate tangible and growing progress in tackling climate change through national initiatives, bolstered by global collaboration, as demonstrated by 64 new NDCs submitted by 64 parties to the Paris Agreement, accounting for approximately 30 percent of total global emissions in 2019.
These NDCs present new national climate objectives and strategies that vary in pace and magnitude from previous commitments, according to the report.
Although there is a downward trend in combined emissions, the report emphasizes that this reduction is not occurring swiftly enough.
The comprehensive approaches reflected in the NDCs underscore the critical importance of robust climate action for sustaining economic stability, job creation, health, and energy security, among other policy goals.
Nevertheless, the report warns that a substantial acceleration in emission reductions is necessary to ensure that the extensive benefits of climate actions reach all nations and communities.
To deliver a broader perspective of global advancements prior to COP30, the UNFCCC has conducted further analyses that include newly submitted or announced NDCs up until the report's release, according to Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General.
“This comprehensive overview indicates a notable decline in global emissions, projected to drop by roughly 10 percent by 2035 for the first time,” he stated. The report highlights that although progress is evident, a significant acceleration is essential to achieve deeper emission cuts necessary to maintain the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal.
“Both the Secretary-General and the UNFCCC have asserted that science clearly indicates it is both feasible and imperative to revert temperatures to 1.5 degrees, even after a temporary overshoot,” Dujarric added.