NEW YORK – More than 100 countries presented updated national climate action plans on Wednesday during a high-level summit held alongside the United Nations General Assembly, marking a coordinated step toward enhanced global climate ambition ahead of COP30 in Brazil. The summit was convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, with a call for governments to submit strengthened Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) aligned with the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement. Guterres urged countries to deliver emissions reductions covering all sectors, accelerate the transition to clean energy, and prioritize climate justice for developing economies.
Scientific briefings at the summit opened with presentations from climatologists Johan Rockström and Katharine Hayhoe, who reported that global greenhouse gas emissions remain on the rise. They emphasized the need to rapidly scale up renewable energy, improve land use practices, and transform food systems to curb waste and emissions. Several major economies announced updated 2035 targets. China stated it will reduce economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7 to 10 percent from peak levels by 2035.
The country also plans to increase the share of non-fossil fuels in total energy consumption to over 30 percent, expand wind and solar power generation sixfold from 2020 levels, and make new energy vehicles the mainstream in domestic vehicle sales. The European Union confirmed it will submit a new NDC before COP30, targeting a 66 to over 70 percent reduction in emissions from 1990 levels by 2035. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reported that the EU has already cut emissions nearly 40 percent since 1990 and will continue to mobilize international partnerships, including up to €300 billion in climate finance for the global energy transition.
Brazil to support new forest finance mechanism before COP30
Brazil reaffirmed its commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 59 to 67 percent across all sectors by 2035 and restated its objective to end illegal deforestation by 2030. The country also intends to become the first contributor to the proposed Tropical Forests Forever Facility, a multilateral financing mechanism to support conservation in tropical regions. Australia submitted a 2035 emissions target of 62 to 70 percent below 2005 levels. The announcement followed domestic consultations and reflects legislative requirements for periodic updates under its national climate framework. Australian officials emphasized the country’s increasing investment in renewable infrastructure and clean technology.
Belize outlined ambitious new targets, including increasing renewable electricity generation to meet 80 percent of domestic demand by 2035, restoring 25,000 hectares of degraded forest, and planting one million trees over the next three years. These measures form part of its revised NDC submitted to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Palau committed to a 44 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared to 2015 levels. As a small island developing state, the country continues to advocate for strong international cooperation and support for climate resilience.
EU reinforces leadership with emissions and finance goals
The summit was held under the framework of the Climate Ambition Summit during the UN General Assembly’s high-level week. It served as a platform for nations to demonstrate progress under the Paris Agreement, which requires updated NDCs every five years. With COP30 scheduled for November in Belém, countries are under renewed pressure to translate pledges into credible, measurable action plans. The announcements at the summit underscore a growing alignment among key global emitters to meet the Paris Agreement goals, though analysts continue to monitor implementation and compliance closely in the lead-up to COP30. – By Content Syndication Services.