“Major Polluters, Including China, EU, and India, Set to Miss Climate Targets Deadline – Is Climate Ambition Softening?”
China, the EU, and India are among the major polluters that are expected to miss the upcoming deadline for submitting new climate targets, raising concerns about a potential “softening” in global climate ambition. The head of the UN climate change body has called on countries to submit high-quality climate targets by September, as only a few nations have met the February deadline for updating their plans to reduce emissions.
Under the Paris Agreement, countries are required to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) outlining their targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. However, as of now, only a handful of countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Switzerland, the UK, New Zealand, and the US, have submitted their updated plans. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement is expected to impact the country’s climate targets.
China, the European Union, and India are among the countries that are yet to present their new climate plans, with submissions expected later this year. The quality of these plans is crucial, according to Simon Stiell, the executive director of UN Climate Change, who emphasized the importance of ensuring that the plans are of the highest standard.
The upcoming COP30 climate summit in Brazil will provide an opportunity for countries to reassess their climate ambitions and evaluate progress towards the Paris Agreement goals of limiting global temperature rise to well below 2C, ideally 1.5C. More than 170 countries have indicated their intention to submit new climate plans this year, but the slow pace of submissions ahead of the February deadline has raised concerns among experts.
The US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement has had a ripple effect on global climate action, with other countries considering similar moves. Argentina is contemplating an exit from the accord, while Indonesia has expressed skepticism about its obligations to reduce emissions in light of the US decision. The shift in climate policy by major emitters like the US has put pressure on other countries to step up their climate efforts.
Despite the challenges posed by geopolitical headwinds and the lack of enforceability in the Paris Agreement, Stiell remains optimistic about the potential for countries to transition to clean energy. He highlighted the economic opportunities presented by the shift away from fossil fuels and stressed the importance of national enforcement and management of climate commitments.
As countries work towards developing new climate plans, there is a growing recognition of the need for bold and credible targets to achieve net-zero emissions. The urgency of addressing climate change is underscored by the record levels of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024 and the continued rise in global temperatures. The hottest January on record in 2025 serves as a stark reminder of the accelerating impacts of climate change.
Moving forward, countries must prioritize ambitious climate action to limit warming to 1.5C and avoid the worst effects of climate change. The upcoming COP30 conference will be a critical moment for countries to demonstrate their commitment to climate action and accelerate progress towards a sustainable future.