The February 10 deadline for countries to submit updated climate plans under the Paris Agreement has passed, and the results are disappointing. Out of the 195 parties to the Agreement, only 11 countries successfully met the deadline with their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
The United Kingdom and Brazil were among the few nations to submit their plans on time, but many large emitters, including India, Australia, and the European Union (which submits a unified plan), failed to meet the deadline. In response, the UN has granted countries additional time to refine their plans. Simon Stiell, the UN’s climate chief, emphasized that the September deadline is now the practical cutoff for incorporating the NDCs into the synthesis report ahead of the COP30 summit in Brazil later this year.
UN Calls for High-Quality Climate Plans
Under the Paris Climate Agreement, countries are required to update their climate plans every five years, ensuring that they gradually become more ambitious in terms of reducing emissions. However, while the February 10 deadline has passed, there are no penalties for those who missed it. The focus remains on ensuring that the plans submitted are high quality, not just timely.
Stiell stressed during a speech in Brazil that “quality must take precedence” in these critical climate policy documents. He acknowledged that several countries would take extra time to ensure their updated NDCs were robust and impactful, rather than rushing to meet the deadline. He also pointed out that the UN’s September deadline remains crucial, as it will be the final chance to incorporate updated NDCs into the synthesis report, which will guide COP30 discussions.
“The quality of these plans is vital to meeting the climate goals,” Stiell stated. “Taking the time to ensure that these plans are well-developed is a step in the right direction.”
Limited Progress: Barriers to Meeting Climate Goals
Although many countries are preparing updated climate plans, only about a dozen of the 195 signatory nations have submitted concrete plans to cut emissions by 2035. Currently, the NDCs submitted represent just 16% of global emissions. The United States, despite its recent climate setbacks, submitted its plan before the Trump administration began the process of withdrawing from the Paris Agreement.
Other countries such as Brazil, the UK, and the UAE also managed to submit their plans on time. However, smaller nations like New Zealand, Switzerland, Uruguay, and the Marshall Islands—while commendable for meeting the deadline—represent only 0.2% of global emissions.
David Waskow from the World Resources Institute highlighted the capacity constraints of smaller developing nations, which has hampered their ability to submit robust plans. Many of these nations are also focusing on progress reports and adaptation plans, making it harder for them to meet the Paris Agreement’s goals.
Waskow warned, “Weak plans signal a bleak future. 2025 must be the year for greater ambition.”
Calls for Action: 2025 as the Crucial Year
As countries work to finalize their NDCs before the UN General Assembly in September, Waskow and other experts are urging that this process cannot be treated as a mere formality. The future of climate action relies on strong, actionable commitments from every nation, especially the major emitters.
In light of these delays, experts are calling for a renewed commitment to the climate agenda in 2025. “This cannot be another missed opportunity,” Waskow said. “Nations must deliver ambitious plans that show their true intent to tackle the climate crisis head-on.”
With COP30 fast approaching, the world’s climate leaders must take this opportunity to enhance their climate policies and deliver a strong message of unity and action. The outcome of these upcoming NDCs will have lasting consequences for future generations, and now is the time to act.
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