Physical Address
23,24,25 & 26, 2nd Floor, Software Technology Park India, Opp: Garware Stadium,MIDC, Chikalthana, Aurangabad, Maharashtra – 431001 India
In a stark reminder of the uphill battle to combat climate change, nearly 95% of countries have failed to meet a critical United Nations deadline to submit updated emissions-cutting plans for 2035. Only 10 out of 195 nations party to the Paris Agreement have published their new climate pledges, raising concerns about the world’s ability to meet the ambitious goals set to limit global warming. With major polluters like China, India, and the European Union yet to finalise their plans, the delay threatens to undermine global efforts to avert a climate catastrophe.
According to a Carbon Brief analysis, countries that missed the February 10 deadline represent 83% of global emissions and nearly 80% of the world’s economy. The submissions, known as “nationally determined contributions” (NDCs), are a cornerstone of the Paris Agreement, requiring nations to outline their strategies to cut greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts every five years. The latest round of pledges is seen as crucial to closing the gap between current policies and the agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
UN climate chief Simon Stiell acknowledged the delays in a February 6 speech, stating that while most countries have indicated they will submit their plans this year, “taking a bit more time to ensure these plans are first-rate makes sense.” However, Stiell emphasised that nations must finalise their pledges by September to be included in the UN’s global assessment ahead of the COP30 summit in Brazil this November.
Major Polluters Lag Behind
Among the notable absentees are some of the world’s largest emitters. The European Union cited its lengthy legislative approval process as a barrier to meeting the deadline, while China has yet to confirm a timeline for releasing its plan. India, meanwhile, has signaled it may delay its submission until the second half of the year, with officials hinting that its NDC will reflect dissatisfaction with the outcomes of recent climate finance negotiations.
The United States and the United Kingdom are among the few major economies to have submitted their plans. However, the US’s commitment, submitted under the Biden administration, faces uncertainty following President Donald Trump’s pledge to withdraw the nation from the Paris Agreement. Similarly, while the UK’s NDC has been deemed “1.5°C compatible” by Climate Action Tracker, experts have called for increased financial support to help other nations meet their climate goals.
A Call for Greater Ambition
The UN’s most recent emissions gap report underscores the urgency of the situation, warning that current pledges fall far short of what is needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Climate Action Tracker’s analysis of the submitted NDCs reveals that even those from countries like Brazil, the UAE, and Switzerland are “not compatible” with the 1.5°C pathway. New Zealand’s plan, though not yet fully assessed, has been criticized by domestic experts as “shockingly unambitious.”
As the world gears up for COP30, the pressure is mounting on nations to deliver more ambitious and actionable climate plans. With the clock ticking, the coming months will be a critical test of global resolve to address the escalating climate crisis. As Stiell noted, “Countries are taking this extremely seriously,” but the world cannot afford further delays in the race to secure a livable future.
https://climateactiontracker.org/countries
Banner Image: Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/electric-towers-during-golden-hour-221012/
