Global Climate Pledge Shortfall Ahead of COP30

Fri Dec 05 2025 05:44:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Only 64 countries submit new climate pledges ahead of COP30 amid concerns of failing to meet crucial temperature targets.

As the COP30 climate summit approaches, only 64 countries have submitted updated plans to reduce carbon emissions, representing around 30% of global emissions. This shortfall raises alarms about the world's ability to keep average global temperature rise below 1.5C, a critical threshold for averting severe climate impacts. Despite some progress, scientists warn that a significant gap remains between current commitments and the aggressive cuts needed.

Only 64 countries have submitted new plans to cut carbon, according to the UN, despite all being required to do so ahead of the upcoming COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil.

The combined national pledges are insufficient to prevent the world from exceeding the 1.5C warming threshold, which scientists have identified as critical to avoid extremely dangerous climate impacts.

While there is some progress projected in curbing carbon emissions over the next decade, experts caution that current efforts fall short of what is necessary to keep temperatures from surging beyond global targets.

This latest report underscores the significant challenges facing global leaders as they prepare to convene for COP30 next week.

Ten years after the Paris climate agreement was established, the scrutiny is mounting over countries' commitments to limiting global warming. Each signatory had pledged to deliver a new carbon-cutting plan every five years, yet only about 30% have complied this year, despite several deadline extensions.

Furthermore, the UN’s analysis indicates that while nations such as China and the EU have made pledges during Climate Week in New York, the overall trajectory is still inadequate to control carbon emissions effectively.

Despite this, the UN is optimistic that more countries will finalize their commitments as they gather for COP30. Important players like India and Indonesia have yet to reveal their plans, which could drastically affect projections if announced at the summit.

While the current trend suggests carbon emissions could start declining by the next few years, experts emphasize that much more significant action is necessary. According to climate projections, greenhouse gas emissions must fall by up to 57% by 2035 to maintain the 1.5C limit.

Significantly, the plans evaluated by the UN include the US proposal submitted under President Biden, despite the political uncertainty surrounding the Paris Agreement.

The message from UN leaders is clear: while initiatives are underway, the urgent need for more ambitious commitments is apparent if the goal of limiting global warming beneath 1.5C is to remain achievable.