A new United Nations report reveals a positive trend in the updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are the climate action blueprints countries submit as part of the Paris Agreement. These revised plans, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change for the 2035 period, are showing advancements in their quality, credibility, and the scope of economic coverage. As of now, 64 out of 195 participating nations have submitted their updated NDCs, but a significant concern remains: the world’s top three emitters have yet to finalize and submit their revised commitments.
The comprehensive NDC Synthesis report, which assesses the global impact of these contributions on climate action, states that a substantial 89% of the Paris Agreement parties have communicated economy-wide emissions targets. This analysis is based on 65 new NDCs submitted between January 2024 and September 2025, collectively accounting for approximately 30% of total global emissions.
In recent developments, China, recognized as the world’s largest CO2 emitter, has announced its intention to reduce economy-wide net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 7% to 10% from its peak levels. Additionally, the nation plans to increase its non-fossil fuel energy consumption to over 30% of its total energy usage.
The European Union (EU) has issued a “statement of intent,” indicating plans to submit its next NDC with a projected 2035 target for reducing net GHG emissions by 66.25% to 72.5% compared to 1990 levels. While this represents progress, some environmental groups have expressed disappointment, finding the range less ambitious than anticipated, and noting that consensus is still being sought among member states like Germany, France, and Hungary.
The United States, historically the largest emitter, submitted its NDC last year before its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has compiled further data on new NDCs and targets to provide a clearer picture of global progress leading up to the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (COP30).
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell highlighted that, despite being incomplete, the current data suggests a potential global emissions reduction of around 10% by 2035. He remarked, “Through UN-convened climate cooperation and national efforts, humanity is now clearly bending the emissions curve downwards for the first time, although still not nearly fast enough.”
To meet the crucial goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, emissions need to decrease by 57%, and a 37% reduction is required to stay within the 2°C limit, according to the UN Environment Programme.
Experts are voicing concerns that the report includes the US plan submitted under the Biden administration, despite the likelihood that these commitments may not be fully realized. Meanwhile, India is awaiting cabinet approval to update its own NDC.
The NDC Synthesis report emphasizes that countries are actively establishing new national climate targets and strategies. While these plans show a collective effort to reduce emissions, the pace is still considered insufficient. The report highlights that the adoption of comprehensive, economy-wide, and society-wide approaches in NDCs signifies a growing recognition of climate action as fundamental to economic stability, job creation, public health, and energy security. However, it stresses that a significant acceleration in emissions reductions is imperative, and the benefits of robust climate action must extend to all nations and communities.
The report also notes that the insights provided are valuable but limited due to the sample size of submitted NDCs. A substantial 88% of parties indicated that their NDCs were influenced by the outcomes of the 2023 Global Stocktake. Furthermore, 80% of parties have outlined how their emission trajectories align with a linear path towards their long-term net-zero targets, demonstrating a clear focus on these crucial milestones, though faster action remains essential. Critically, all submitted NDCs encompass more than just mitigation, including vital elements of adaptation, finance, technology transfer, capacity building, and addressing loss and damage, reflecting the holistic nature of the Paris Agreement.
This UN report follows closely on the heels of the Global Tipping Points Report, which warned of widespread coral reef mortality as the world approaches critical Earth system tipping points. As Professor Tim Lenton from the University of Exeter stated, “We are rapidly approaching multiple Earth system tipping points that could transform our world, with devastating consequences for people and nature. This demands immediate, unprecedented action from leaders at COP30 and policymakers worldwide.”