Only 13 countries submitted 2035 climate targets on time

Only 13 countries submitted 2035 climate targets as required under the Paris Agreement by the 10 February deadline this year, reflecting a concerning lack of political leadership in addressing climate change.

Signatories to the Paris Agreement are required to submit updated targets – called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – every five years. 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 13 countries that submitted climate targets by 10 February were the United States, Brazil, Uruguay, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Singapore, New Zealand, Marshall Islands, Andorra, Saint Lucia, Ecuador and Zimbabwe.

This represents just 7% of signatories to the Paris Agreement. And one of those countries – the United States – has since announced its intention to withdraw from the pact.

IIED climate diplomacy researcher Camilla More said: “At a time of accelerating global warming, the need for swift and bold action is more important than ever. So, it’s disappointing that only a handful of countries have submitted updated climate targets.

“The world can’t afford to delay any further. That’s why this round of climate targets is critical in changing the course of global efforts to combat climate change.

“Several countries have indicated they will submit updated plans later this year. It’s vital that each country’s target represents their fair share of what’s needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C. That means slashing emissions and scaling up climate finance.

“Regardless of what some politicians might say, it doesn’t change the fact that the climate crisis is already wreaking economic havoc around the world. And the cost of inaction is only going to rise.

"There remains overwhelming public support for climate action. Yet some political leaders are continuing to act as handbrakes to that ambition.”

Previous IIED analysis showed that governments have been consistently sluggish in meeting deadlines for climate targets.

Not including the 10 February deadline, the analysis showed that countries have missed deadlines – and their extensions – more than half the time over the past decade.