The United Nations has urged countries to submit updated and more ambitious climate targets, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), by the end of September 2025. These updated commitments will set out strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through 2035 and are critical for assessing global progress ahead of COP30, which will be held in Brazil later this year. So far, many nations have not met the deadline. China has said it will update its targets in the fall, while the European Union faces internal disagreements over its 2040 climate objectives, with some member states requesting delays. UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell emphasized that NDCs are the “backbone” of humanity’s climate response and should be seen as engines of economic growth for the 21st century. This call comes after the hottest global year on record, underscoring the urgency of stronger action. 1. Why NDCs Matter in the Paris Agreement Framework Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are the cornerstone of the Paris Agreement. They represent each country’s plan for reducing emissions and adapting to climate change, renewed every five years to ensure continuous progress. Without timely updates, global assessments become unreliable, making it nearly impossible to evaluate whether the world is on track to limit warming to below 1.5°C. With COP30 approaching, the September deadline is not symbolic—it is critical to building trust and accountability in the global system. 2. The Gap Between Commitments and Action Despite broad consensus on the need for stronger climate action, most countries have missed the September submission deadline. As of early September 2025, only around 30 nations—including the UK, Japan, and Canada—had filed their updated NDCs. Major emitters like China, India, and the EU are still negotiating or delaying their submissions. These delays reflect competing domestic priorities—economic pressures, political disputes, and energy security concerns—that frequently slow down climate ambition. Yet, postponement risks weakening global confidence and delaying investment flows needed for implementation. 3. China and the EU: Two Giants in Limbo China, the world’s largest emitter, has pledged to update its NDC in the fall but has not shared concrete details. Given its central role in global emissions, the credibility of COP30 depends heavily on Beijing’s actions. The EU, meanwhile, faces internal discord. Some member states—such as France and Poland—have called for postponing decisions on 2040 climate goals, citing concerns about industrial competitiveness and rising energy costs. This divergence within the bloc highlights the political challenges of balancing climate ambition with economic realities. 4. The UN’s Strong Push: Climate Action as Economic Growth Simon Stiell’s statement reframed climate targets not just as environmental obligations but as engines of economic transformation. By linking NDCs to innovation, job creation, and growth, the UN is attempting to reposition climate action as an opportunity rather than a cost. This reframing is especially important for developing nations, many of which seek financial and technological support to achieve their goals. If NDCs are seen as growth strategies, they may attract more domestic political buy-in and international investment.