As the deadline passes for countries to submit their revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, only 13 out of 195 parties have met the requirement. Notably, just five developed countries are among them, raising concerns about the commitment of wealthier nations to lead global climate action.
Less than 20 countries of the 195 parties signed up to the landmark Paris Agreement have published their new emissions-cutting plans, known as “ nationally determined contributions ” (NDCs), by the 10 February deadline.
The 13 countries that submitted their NDCs on time are Andorra, Brazil, Ecuador, the Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Singapore, St. Lucia, Switzerland, the UAE, the UK, Uruguay, the USA, and Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, the European Union, among other developed nations, has announced it will delay its submission until September, just weeks before COP30 in Brazil.
Tasneem Essop, Executive Director of Climate Action Network (CAN) International, described the situation as alarming, emphasizing that the failure of most high-income countries to meet the deadline reflects a lack of political will to advance climate ambition under the Paris Agreement.
Under the Paris Agreement, all countries are required to update their NDCs every five years. These plans outline national strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts to keep global temperature rise within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. However, challenges remain in achieving this target.
Fernanda Carvalho, Head of Policy for Climate and Energy at WWF, highlighted that NDCs are not just about emission targets but must also align with climate justice and global temperature goals. “It is crucial that countries submit NDCs capable of collectively delivering on the 1.5°C target before COP30. It’s now or never for the planet,” she stated.
This year’s submissions should extend NDC commitments to 2030 and set new objectives through 2035, shaping the next decade of climate action. Essop emphasized that developing nations require robust, grants-based public funding to implement meaningful climate strategies, adding that ambitious targets alone are insufficient without the necessary financial support.
“For COP30 to mark a turning point in climate action, this new round of NDCs must restore confidence and drive a just and transformative transition—one that leaves no one behind,” Essop said.
CAN International urges developed nations to submit their NDCs in line with the 1.5°C pathway, ensuring they incorporate climate justice principles. The organization has also emphasized that NDCs must include ambitious commitments in the energy sector, such as phasing out fossil fuels, protecting ecosystems, and supporting vulnerable communities.
David Knecht, a climate expert at Fastenaktion Switzerland, stressed the importance of incorporating concrete fossil fuel phase-out plans, as agreed upon in Dubai. “Developed nations must take the lead by financing the global transition through grant-based support,” he said.
In addition, Knecht called for an inclusive approach to NDC development, ensuring social protections for communities and workers, prioritizing equity and transparency, and engaging civil society and local stakeholders. “To set the right precedent, countries must act swiftly and present ambitious NDCs that reflect the urgency of the climate crisis,” he added.
