Paris Climate Pact and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
The Paris Climate Pact mandates each country to renew its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) every five years. The aim is to keep the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
Assessment of Current NDCs
- Recent assessments indicate that current NDCs are insufficient.
- A UNFCCC study projected a temperature reduction of only 2.6 degrees by 2030 with existing NDCs.
Deadline and Compliance
- Countries were expected to submit their new pledges by February 10.
- Only 12 countries met the deadline; significant G20 members did not.
- The US's pledge is now moot due to its withdrawal from the treaty under President Donald Trump.
Expectations and Challenges
- The UNFCCC now expects plan submissions by September before CoP30 in Brazil.
- More than 90% of signatories show a lack of political will.
- NDCs should reflect elevated ambitions and detailed roadmaps.
- Reliance on carbon credits and technologies like carbon capture and storage faces criticism.
Global Warming Challenges
- The US's absence from climate negotiations increases the burden on other countries.
- Countries need to consider climate justice amidst global economic challenges.
The record-breaking temperatures of January highlight the urgency of the situation.
