nationally determined contributions for 22 November 2025

Nationally Determined Contributions are central to global climate action because they outline each country’s specific commitments under the Paris Agreement. These commitments reflect national capabilities, long-term development goals, and evolving climate science. The 2025 NDC Synthesis Report provides updated insights into how countries are enhancing ambition, strengthening adaptation, integrating social inclusion, and building the frameworks necessary to achieve long-term climate stability. The growing emphasis on transparency, just transition, and multi-stakeholder participation shows that climate governance is becoming more inclusive.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)

Nationally Determined Contributions represent domestic climate targets developed by Parties to the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions and enhance resilience. According to the 2025 NDC Synthesis Report (UNFCCC, 28 Oct 2025), the latest set of 64 new NDCs submitted between January 2024 and September 2025 cover around 30 percent of global emissions (2019) and demonstrate clear improvements in transparency, ambition, and long-term planning.

Nationally Determined Contributions Mandate

The mandate of Nationally Determined Contributions is driven by the Paris Agreement, which requires Parties to prepare, communicate and maintain successive NDCs every five years, reflecting progression and highest possible ambition.

• The Paris Agreement requires each Party to submit updated Nationally Determined Contributions every five years with increased ambition.
• COP 21 mandated that NDCs must be submitted 9-12 months before CMA sessions to ensure transparency and clarity.
• CMA 3 and CMA 5 further urged Parties to adopt economy-wide emission reduction targets aligned with the 1.5 °C pathway.
• NDCs must be recorded in the NDC registry maintained by the UNFCCC Secretariat.
• Each NDC must present clarity, transparency and understanding (CTU) as outlined under decision 1/CP.21.
• Parties are encouraged to communicate NDCs with 2035 end-year targets starting 2025.
• Guidance ensures inclusion of mitigation, adaptation, finance, and implementation strategies.
• Reporting also links NDCs to long-term low-emission development strategies.
• The 2025 Synthesis Report was prepared based on CTU guidance for comparable analysis.

Nationally Determined Contributions Scope

The scope of the 2025 Nationally Determined Contributions extends beyond mitigation to include adaptation, finance, gender inclusion, technology transfer, and just transition, as reflected in the 64 new NDCs assessed.

• The 2025 Report synthesizes 64 new NDCs submitted between Jan 2024-Sept 2025, covering 30 percent of global emissions.
• 91 percent of Parties provided full CTU information for transparency.
• NDCs include mitigation, adaptation, technology, finance, and loss and damage.
• Many Parties referenced broader policy frameworks, strategies, and sectoral plans.
• The NDCs respond to outcomes of the first Global Stocktake (GST).
• NDCs increasingly incorporate cross-cutting issues like gender and youth.
• Many Parties clarify assumptions, baselines, and methodological approaches.
• A comparison with previous NDCs shows clear progression in ambition.
• New NDCs reveal strengthening alignment with net-zero trajectories.

Nationally Determined Contributions Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greenhouse gas emission projections under the 2025 Nationally Determined Contributions highlight both progress and the need for faster global mitigation action.

• New NDCs collectively aim for emissions of 13.0 (12.0-13.9) Gt CO₂-eq by 2035, a 17 percent reduction below 2019 levels.
• Conditional implementation can reduce emissions further to 12.3 Gt CO₂-eq by 2035.
• Implementation leads to emissions peaking before 2030 for the reporting group.
• Most NDCs align 2030-2035 emissions with long-term net-zero pathways.
• A majority commit to reaching net-zero between 2040-2060, with most targeting 2050.
• Emission pathways show consistency with linear declines toward net-zero.
• Mitigation ambition has increased compared to previous NDCs.
• Stronger links now exist between short-term actions and long-term strategies.
• Parties emphasize scaling renewable energy and reducing deforestation.
• NDCs highlight the need for accelerated action to close the 1.5 °C ambition gap.

Nationally Determined Contributions Legal Framework

Legal and policy frameworks form the backbone of implementing Nationally Determined Contributions and ensuring climate ambition translates into measurable action.

• 97 percent of Parties reported national frameworks supporting NDC implementation 
• 41 percent adopted climate laws or decrees establishing legal authority.
• 39 percent provided national climate policies guiding implementation.
• Key sectors include energy, agriculture, water, waste, and urban planning.
• 77 percent reported environmental policy instruments supporting climate goals.
• Sustainable development policies increasingly integrate climate considerations.
• Many countries align NDCs with national development plans.
• Institutional mechanisms ensure monitoring, reporting and verification.
• Sectoral roadmaps and long-term strategies strengthen policy alignment.
• Governance reforms aim to ensure resilience and effective mitigation outcomes.

Nationally Determined Contributions Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder engagement has become a defining feature of the 2025 Nationally Determined Contributions, ensuring inclusive climate action.

• 89 percent of Parties referenced gender integration in their NDCs.
• 88 percent included children and youth, up from 61 percent previously.
• 72 percent emphasized Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
• Community-based adaptation is growing across many countries.
• Non-Party stakeholders participate in planning and implementation.
• Subnational authorities help align national and local climate actions.
• Private sector contributions include financing, innovation, and technology.
• Civil society supports climate justice and capacity development.
• Academic institutions provide scientific inputs to climate decision making.
• Participation reflects a shift toward whole-of-society climate governance.

Nationally Determined Contributions International Cooperation

International cooperation remains essential for implementing Nationally Determined Contributions and meeting global climate goals.

• 97 percent of Parties highlighted the need for international support.
• Cooperation includes finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building.
• Countries participate in cross-regional partnerships and coalitions.
• Voluntary cooperation under Article 6 expanded significantly.
• 89 percent plan to use international carbon market mechanisms.
• Many highlighted alignment with global renewable energy goals.
• Developing countries stress the need for equitable climate finance.
• International partnerships assist in monitoring and transparency.
• Countries collaborate on energy transitions and resilience building.
• International cooperation strengthens global climate governance structures.

Just Transition in Nationally Determined Contributions

Just transition appears prominently in the 2025 Nationally Determined Contributions as countries align climate action with equity and social protection.

• 70 percent of Parties included just transition considerations.
• Measures address economic inclusion and equitable climate pathways.
• Integration spans mitigation, adaptation, and implementation support.
• Countries aim to avoid worsening inequalities during low-carbon shifts.
• Plans include workforce reskilling and social protection mechanisms.
• Multi-sectoral approaches ensure inclusive development.
• Monitoring systems for just transition are emerging in some NDCs.
• Emphasis on gender-responsive and community-focused policies.
• Economic diversification reduces reliance on carbon-intensive sectors.
• Broader social inclusion strengthens long-term climate resilience.

Nationally Determined Contributions Adaptation Measures

Adaptation remains a major component of Nationally Determined Contributions, reflecting growing climate risks across geographies.

• 73 percent of Parties included adaptation components (UNFCCC 2025).
• Focus areas include food security, water, health and coastal resilience.
• Progress observed in research, monitoring and adaptation frameworks.
• Many countries advanced National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
• Loss and damage referenced by 94 percent of adaptation NDCs.
• Adaptation indicators and targets are increasingly defined.
• Synergies drawn between adaptation and SDGs.
• Nature-based solutions widely adopted across regions.
• Community-based adaptation is expanding.
• Measures address vulnerability in rural and urban systems alike.

Nationally Determined Contributions Mitigation Measures

Mitigation ambition has increased as Parties align Nationally Determined Contributions with global emission reduction pathways.

• 98 percent reported domestic mitigation actions (UNFCCC 2025).
• 80 percent adopted at least one major low-cost mitigation option.
• Renewables, afforestation, and reduced deforestation dominate priorities.
• Many Parties target tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.
• Some announced CCUS, hydrogen and efficiency-focused projects.
• Mitigation co-benefits increasingly linked with adaptation.
• Just transition integrated into mitigation strategies.
• Synergies with SDGs commonly referenced.
• National pledges often exceed formal NDC targets.
• Many Parties emphasize long-term decarbonization pathways.

Nationally Determined Contributions Implementation

Means of implementation remain critical for achieving Nationally Determined Contributions, especially for developing countries.

• 75 percent included climate finance information (UNFCCC 2025).
• Costed needs range from USD 1,970.8-1,975.0 billion.
• Mitigation finance needs: USD 1,339 billion.
• Adaptation finance: USD 560.5-564.6 billion.
• Countries develop domestic climate finance strategies.
• Technology needs emphasized by 97 percent of Parties.
• Adaptation tech priorities include climate monitoring and AI-based tools.
• Capacity-building referenced by 84 percent of Parties.
• Many require international support for transparency and adaptation.
• Innovative finance tools such as green bonds and credit guarantees increasing.

Nationally Determined Contributions Challenges

Nationally Determined Contributions face multiple challenges that require coordinated solutions for effective implementation.

• Limited global coverage of new NDC submissions (30 percent emissions).
• Financing gaps hinder climate action scalability.
• Technology availability remains uneven across regions.
• Governance frameworks still developing in many countries.
• Need for enhanced MRV systems to ensure transparency.
• Slow progress in reducing global emissions.
• Capacity shortages in developing countries.
• Insufficient support for adaptation in vulnerable sectors.
• Complexity of integrating just transition into planning.
• Dependence on conditional finance for ambitious goals.

Way Forward:

• Expand NDC participation and global coverage.
• Strengthen access to predictable international finance.
• Promote technology transfer and innovation partnerships.
• Accelerate sector-specific policy reforms.
• Enhance MRV capacities through digital tools.
• Scale renewable energy deployment rapidly.
• Improve adaptation finance for vulnerable regions.
• Support inclusive planning for just transition.
• Foster international cooperation on low-carbon pathways.
• Strengthen multi-stakeholder platforms for implementation.

Nationally Determined Contributions UPSC

Nationally Determined Contributions remain the foundation of global climate action, anchoring national goals within a unified international framework. The 2025 NDC Synthesis Report shows progress in ambition, coverage and transparency, while highlighting persistent gaps in finance, implementation and global participation. Strengthening NDCs through innovation, cooperation and inclusive governance is essential to align climate action with long-term stability and resilience.

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