UN extends deadline for submission of climate plans to September 2025

Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has implored countries to submit their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) by September 2025.

NDCs are self-defined commitments of a nation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Stiell spoke on Monday in Brazil ahead of the 30th edition of the conference of parties (COP30) slated for November.

He said the submission of a bold climate plan will enable the secretariat include them in the NDC synthesis report, which will be released ahead of the COP30.

Stiell noted that the submission of the plan is entirely in the interests of nations’ economies and their citizens, as they are “blue prints for stronger societies”.

The UN chief added that the new climate plan must ensure that money flows, in order to build clean and resilient infrastructure that will help harness the power of cheaper and cleaner energy for the benefit of all.

“Already we’ve seen several major economies — including Brazil and the UK among others — send clear signals they are stepping up climate action by submitting bold new national climate plans, because it’s entirely in the interests of their economies and their citizens,” Stiell said.

“At the latest though, the secretariat team needs to have them on their desks by September to include them in the NDC Synthesis Report, which will come out before the COP.”

Speaking on US exit from the Paris Agreement, Stiell said while one country steps back, others are holding the forte and seizing the opportunity to reap better rewards.

He expressed confidence in Brazil’s ability to deliver a successful COP30, acknowledging the country’s record of putting indigenous people at the front burner of global discourse.

“A country may step back — but others are already stepping into their place to seize the opportunity, and to reap the massive rewards: stronger economic growth, more jobs, less pollution and far lower health costs, more secure and affordable energy,” he said.

“I’m delighted to be working with Brazil, who under President Lula, has made reforming the global financial system, and ensuring more people benefit, so central to their diplomacy and their G20 presidency.”

NIGERIA YET TO SUBMIT NEW NDC

Article 4 of the United Nations (UN) Paris Agreement requires each member country to prepare, communicate and maintain bold NDCs that it aims to achieve.

NDCs are submitted every five years to the UNFCCC secretariat to enhance a country’s ambition over time to reflect developmental changes.

As a member state, Nigeria submitted its second NDC in 2021, where it pledged to cut green house gas emissions by 20 percent by 2030.

It also pledged to achieve universal energy access for all by 2030, as well as attain net zero emissions by 2060.

While few countries, including the US, have put forward bold climate plans, several other nations like Nigeria are yet to submit theirs.

With the initial deadline fixed for February 10 looming, countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Brazil, Switzerland, the UK submitted their NDCs.

This new deadline will afford countries ample time to produce quality climate plans that will outline their climate goals and how they intend to achieve them in order to meet net zero target.

As global temperature continues to rise more than ever, the onus is on leaders and policy makers to chart a course for their countries through clear NDCs that align with the Paris Agreement.