NDCs
India approves climate plan with increased ambition, clarifying energy goals
The cabinet has cemented a verbal pledge by prime minister Narendra Modi to aim for net zero emissions by 2070 and improve carbon efficiency this decade
Pacific islands welcome Australia’s renewed climate ambition – and ask for more
At this week’s Pacific Island Forum the new Australian government got a warmer response from its smaller neighbours but was pressed to keep fossil fuels in the ground
Brazil accused of backsliding in updated climate pledge to UN
While the Bolsonaro administration has nominally increased its 2030 target, a baseline shift allows Brazil to emit more than under its first Paris pledge
Laggards reject Glasgow pact’s 2022 call for new climate plans
Australia and New Zealand have already said that they do not plan to update their 2030 targets by the end of 2022
To close 1.5C gap, countries face call for another round of climate pledges by 2023
The Cop26 presidency is considering a proposal to strengthen ambition beyond the Glasgow summit, but it faces resistance from emerging economies
Saudi Arabia pledges net zero by 2060, but no oil exit plan
Riyadh will invest $187 billion in climate action by 2030 but keep pumping oil and gas for decades, under a plan submitted to the UN
Japan eyes international carbon offsets to deliver 2030 emission cuts
Campaigners accused Japan of failing to take responsibility for cutting its own emissions and relying on developing nations to do so
Countries failing to protect forests, 7 years after New York declaration
Of the 32 biggest forest nations, only India has set an ambitious tree planting target and others are falling far short, according to analysis of their latest climate pledges
Barbados pursues ‘Norwegian model’: going green at home and drilling for oil
The Caribbean nation wants its vehicles and electricity to be almost completely renewable by 2030 but supports oil and gas development for export
What is Cop26 and why does it matter? Your guide to the Glasgow climate summit
Following a two-year gap, countries are due to meet in the UK for UN climate talks in November. Here’s what is at stake
China, India miss UN’s extended deadline for climate pledges
110 parties to the Paris Agreement have submitted updated 2030 climate targets to be counted by UN Climate Change before Cop26, but some major emitters’ are still missing
Ethiopia to shift from beef to chicken production under updated climate plan
The government is promoting smaller livestock to limit the rise of methane emissions, in a plan that is 80% dependent on international finance
South Africa’s climate advisers urge faster shift away from fossil fuels
The climate commission has called on the government to step up its 2030 climate goal – which some advisers say will require ending new coal and gas projects
South Korea proposes cutting emissions 40% by 2030
The coal-reliant nation will need to pivot quickly to renewable energy under the government’s proposed new climate target
US, UK and Norway launch $1bn initiative to protect tropical forests
The Leaf Coalition aims to mobilise $1 billion of public and private finance this year to cut emissions from deforestation and forest degradation
US pledges to double international climate finance at Earth Day summit
Joe Biden made a start on restoring US climate credibility after four lost years, with finance and emissions pledges, but campaigners say more is needed
South Africa sets out to tighten 2030 emissions target
South Africa’s economy is shifting from heavy industry to service sectors, allowing for deeper carbon cuts, but coal lingers in the energy mix
Lebanon increases climate goal despite political and economic turmoil
While battling political upheaval, coronavirus and its worst economic crisis in 30 years, Lebanon has strengthened its 2030 emissions target
South Sudan plans to raise climate ambition amid ‘dire’ humanitarian crisis
The world’s newest country is seeking to expand renewable energy, tree planting and climate smart agriculture, but UK aid cuts threaten progress
French climate bill set for rocky ride after citizens’ assembly slams weak ambition
After the citizens’ assembly complained they had not been fully listened to, lawmakers submitted over 4,000 amendments to Macron’s landmark climate bill