Only one big economy is aiming for Paris Agreement's 1.5C Goal

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🗞️ Driving the news: As of the February 10, 2025, deadline, only 12 out of nearly 200 countries have submitted updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement
• Notably, the United Kingdom stands out with its ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 81% by 2035, relative to 1990 levels
• Major economies such as China, India, and the European Union missed the deadline, raising concerns about global commitment to climate goals

🔭 The context: The Paris Agreement requires countries to submit updated NDCs every five years, outlining their plans to reduce emissions and combat climate change
• The recent deadline aimed to gather commitments for the next decade
• The UK's submission aligns with its long-standing leadership in climate policy, having been one of the first major economies to commit to a legally binding net-zero target by 2050

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The limited number of updated NDC submissions, especially from major emitters, poses a significant challenge to achieving the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels
• The UK's ambitious target serves as a benchmark, but without broader global participation, efforts to mitigate climate change may fall short

⏭️ What's next: The UN has emphasized the importance of comprehensive and high-quality climate plans over strict adherence to deadlines, encouraging countries to submit robust NDCs in the coming months
• The upcoming COP30 summit in Brazil will serve as a critical platform for nations to present and strengthen their commitments to address the escalating climate crisis

💬 One quote: "The public is entitled to expect a strong reaction from their governments to the fact that global warming has now reached 1.5C for an entire year, but we have seen virtually nothing of real substance," - Bill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics

📈 One stat: Only 12 countries, accounting for 16.2% of global carbon dioxide emissions, met the UN deadline for submitting updated NDCs

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