In the global effort to curb and reverse climate change, nations regularly report on their strategies and advancements in reducing national carbon emissions, which contribute to global warming. These reports are known as Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs for short. An NDC outlines a country's national policies aimed at achieving net-zero emissions. Initially updated every five years, the 2021 UN climate summit, COP26, in Glasgow, called for more frequent updates, every couple of years. These reports facilitate international coordination on climate policies and indicate whether global climate goals are being met.
A recent report by the Net-Zero Tracker, which evaluates global climate commitments, found that with 93% of global GDP covered by targets, the world is progressing towards net zero, but emphasized the need for concrete actions to transform pledges into credible plans. The next round of NDC updates is scheduled for February 2025, though some countries may announce their plans during the current UN General Assembly in New York or at the upcoming COP29 in Azerbaijan.
The net-zero goal stems from the 2015 Paris Agreement, where countries agreed to limit global warming to within two degrees Celsius of pre-industrial levels. To achieve this, the world must reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and halve emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. Despite the Paris Agreement, global emissions have continued to rise. NDCs are crucial as they allow each country to determine its path to meeting global emissions targets, considering various policies such as energy use, food production, and urban planning.
For the upcoming NDC round, countries are urged to set more ambitious near-term targets for 2030 and 2035. A robust NDC is characterized by detail, ambition, and credibility, including emissions reduction targets for key sectors like energy and transportation, and plans for monitoring progress. NDCs also address adaptation to a warmer world and measures to protect against climate-related hazards. Countries with well-developed NDCs can attract funding, but they can also reveal backsliding on climate policies.
While NDC pledges are voluntary and lack legal penalties for non-compliance, countries are required to monitor and report on their progress. Some, like Britain and Chile, have integrated NDCs into national law, making their climate commitments legally binding. Despite this, countries can face litigation for failing to meet their goals, as evidenced by a recent European court ruling against Switzerland for insufficient climate action.
