Six months out from COP30, only 21 countries have submitted updated climate targets
With six months until COP30 gets underway in Brazil, only 21 countries have submitted updated climate targets as required under the Paris Agreement.
Signatories to the Paris Agreement are required to submit updated targets – called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – every five years. This round, with its 2035 timeframe, was meant to be submitted by early February.
These targets provide the basis for what action each country will take to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
The UNFCCC use the targets to assess progress towards the Paris Agreement, compiling an NDC synthesis report ahead of COP30. Tomorrow (May 10) marks six months from the opening session of COP30 in Brazil.
So far, the 21 countries that have submitted 2035 climate targets are: Zambia, Cuba, Maldives, Montenegro, Japan, Canada, Marshall Islands, Singapore, Zimbabwe, Ecuador, Saint Lucia, Andorra, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Uruguay, United States of America, Brazil, Kenya, Moldova and United Arab Emirates. And one of those – the United States – has since announced its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
IIED climate diplomacy researcher Camilla More said: “With just six months to go until COP30 gets underway, we really need to see countries submit updated climate targets.
“These targets demonstrate whether or not world leaders are serious about dealing with the challenge of climate change, which is already wreaking havoc across the globe.
“Every year, the cost of the climate crisis continues to climb. We need to see bold and ambitious action to cut emissions and to support communities adapt to the new reality and address the inevitable impacts.
“We can’t let short-term populism act as a handbrake on climate action.”
Country climate targets: missed deadlines podcast
Want to find out more about the implications of missing the 2035 climate targets deadline for global climate action? Listen to this recent episode of the Make Change Happen podcast!
Notes to editors
NDC submission data is being regularly updated. The statistics for the above graphic are correct as of midday UTC on 8 May. For the most up to date number of submissions, please refer to the NDC registry.
For more information or to request an interview, contact Jon Sharman:
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