12th February 2025
The United Kingdom’s recent submission of its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement stands as a critical milestone in global climate action. Amid a backdrop of uncertainty, with only a dozen countries meeting the deadline to submit their 2035 emissions-cutting plans, the UK’s timely submission has earned praise for its ambition and alignment with the Paris targets. Bloomberg has called the UK a “rare bright spot,” noting that its pledge to cut carbon emissions by 81% by 2035, relative to 1990 levels, is the only national plan checked so far that’s anywhere close to consistent with the Paris target. This pledge stands in stark contrast to the absence of several major emitters from the list of timely submissions.
What are the NDCs?
NDCs are the heart of the Paris Agreement, designed to ensure that countries collectively take responsibility for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Each signatory country is expected to submit its own plan, reflecting its national circumstances, capabilities, and levels of ambition. These submissions are updated every five years to increase ambition and meet the global goal of limiting warming to well below 2°C, aiming for 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The updates are essential for tracking progress and fostering transparency among nations.
The 2035 target submission is particularly important, as the Paris Agreement requires countries to strengthen their commitments over time. In a recent report, the UN indicated that while most of the nearly 200 signatories did not meet the deadline, as long as they are working on their plans, it remains acceptable. However, the submission deadlines serve as an important reminder of the need for timely, ambitious action to tackle the climate crisis.
The UK’s commitment: A model for climate ambition
The UK’s updated NDC for 2035 is not only timely and ambitious but also compatible with the 1.5°C target. The plan commits to an 81% reduction in emissions by 2035, relative to 1990 levels, setting a clear path for the nation’s decarbonisation. The country has committed to advancing renewable energy infrastructure, including offshore wind, and investing in carbon capture and storage technologies. This commitment not only surpasses previous targets but also aligns with the recommendations made by the UK’s independent Climate Change Committee, positioning the UK as a climate leader among major economies.
The global landscape: missing major emitters and the impact
While the UK has made its contribution, many of the world’s largest emitters have missed the deadline for submitting updated NDCs. The Associated Press reports that countries accounting for 83% of global emissions, including China, India, and the European Union, were absent from the list of timely submissions. The United States, which withdrew its previous NDC under the Trump administration, also remains a significant gap in the collective action needed. Despite this, nations like Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, and several smaller emitters such as Uruguay, Switzerland, and Singapore have met the deadline, showing that climate ambition isn’t solely dependent on the largest emitters. However, Climate Action Tracker has assessed that the NDCs submitted by Brazil, the UAE, the US (now withdrawn), and Switzerland are “not compatible” with a pathway to limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
Encouraging Global Action
The climate crisis is a health crisis. And for better global health, timely climate action is necessary. The UK’s leadership in submitting an ambitious NDC on time should serve as an inspiration for other nations. With only a small number of countries making the deadline, the international community must ramp up its efforts. For the Paris Agreement to be effective, all countries, regardless of their size or emission profile, must demonstrate leadership and responsibility. The time for rhetoric has passed; now, it is time for nations to deliver real, impactful climate action.