Eric Morgen Moyo

Only a total of 13 out of 195 countries that are signatories to the Paris Agreement managed to publish their climate mitigation plans formally known as the Nationally Determined Contributions by the 10th of February 2025 deadline.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are climate action plans submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement to outline their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. Each country sets its own targets, considering national circumstances, capabilities, and priorities. A key component of the NDCs is the Emissions Reduction Targets, as these are indicative of where we are going in terms of addressing climate change.

The reality that more than 93% of countries missed the deadline to submit their NDCs covering the period of 2025 – 2035, paints a dire picture and could be indicative of a lack of real commitment. According to an analysis by Carbon Brief, countries missing the deadline represent 83% of global emissions and nearly 80% of the world’s economy. Of note missing the mark are China, India, Russia, and the European Union.

The UN has said countries can take “a bit more time” to ensure these plans are “first rate”. According to UN’s climate chief, Simon Stiell recently in Brazil, the quality and not the timelines of these plans should be the focus.

These national plans are among the most important policy documents governments will produce this century, their quality should be the paramount consideration.” Simon Stiell.

Zimbabwe was the only African country to meet the deadline, an indication of commitment by the landlocked nation despite  her very minimal emissions contribution. Africa contributes only 4% of global carbon emissions, and with South Africa excluded, this goes to less than 2%.

With all NDCs expected to be submitted by September 2025, it remains to be seen if by then, high quality plans that are ambitious enough would be the result.