G20 Climate Action Plans: Lost, Not Found, In Bonn

Scoop

01-07-2025

Bonn, July 1 2025 - The just wrapped up SB62 climate talks in Bonn missed the opportunity to raise the bar of Nationally Determined Contributions, due to the G20's lack of political ambition. The NDCs are crucial as they are the cornerstone of the Paris Agreement, reflecting countries' commitments to protect people, livelihoods and ecosystems to the best of their capacities and responsibilities.
The G20 represents about 80% of greenhouse gas emissions. Not all countries in the G20 have the same historic responsibility or capacity, but given the concentration of emissions in these countries, they must show ambition for climate action in line with their fair shares. Despite an initial deadline in February, so far, only five G20 countries have submitted revised NDCs: Brazil, Canada, Japan, the UK, and the US, under the Biden Administration prior to rolling back commitments on climate.
Tasneem Essop, Executive Director, Climate Action Network International, said: 'These NDCs are not just technical documents - they are moral and political declarations that will shape the course of our shared future. They reveal whether governments are ready to confront the climate crisis with courage, or whether they will keep hiding behind greenwashing, delay and distraction.'
Of the G20 NDCs that have been released, none has established concrete and time-bound plans for phasing out fossil fuels. Many have instead opted for obscure ways to increase oil and gas production, including the US, Canada and Brazil, and describe how to use carbon capture and storage (CCS) to decarbonise their energy sector, with the UK committing up to £22 billion to CCS.
Another concern is the continued reliance on carbon markets, especially with this being the first round of NDCs released since Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which governs international carbon markets. Japan has already signed 29 bilateral agreements under Article 6, and in the plan that accompanies its NDC, it frequently mentions its intention to expand carbon market activity through Article 6 and the Joint Crediting Mechanism. Through the JCM, Japan collaborates with developing countries on low-carbon projects: a portion of the credits generated from the emission reductions of the project could then count towards Japan's NDC emission reduction targets, but Japan should first and foremost achieve its binding climate target domestically.
'Too many G20 countries continue to rely on loopholes and false solutions like carbon markets, while communities on the frontlines pay the price with their lives and livelihoods. Weak or delayed NDCs don't just miss climate targets - they condemn millions to deeper injustice and suffering. But it doesn't have to be this way. Ambitious, justice-driven NDCs - anchored in real emissions cuts, real climate finance, and a just transition - can still change the trajectory. This is not about ticking boxes. This is about whether we rise to meet this moment with the urgency, honesty, and solidarity it demands,' continued Essop.
In addition, there is a lack of clarity and ambition in climate finance to enable the energy transition. Under the Paris Agreement, developed countries have a responsibility to provide international climate finance for mitigation and adaptation in developing countries. Yet, none of these five NDCs align with their fair share contributions.
Chiara Martinelli, Director at CAN Europe, said: 'As the second largest historical polluter, the EU has a responsibility to set an ambitious climate target in its NDC: CAN calls for the EU to reach climate neutrality by 2040 and therefore to establish an ambitious 2035 NDC from there and without relying on international credits. EU leadership is critical for setting international NDC dynamics and will determine the ambition that other countries show in their revised NDCs.'
Transformative NDCs must act as comprehensive action plans that include mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, just transition, and alignment with sustainable development and human rights. In this context, the G20 must produce particularly strong NDCs that show the world how to collectively remain on track for 1.5 degrees. These NDCs must include economy-wide phase out timelines for coal, oil and gas use that are aligned with reaching net zero emissions by 2040 at the latest for developed countries, and 2050 at the latest for developing countries. Developed countries must provide grant-based finance that match the needs and enable the fast implementation of climate action.
David Knecht, climate expert at Fastenaktion Switzerland, said: 'We have only five NDCs from the G20 in our hands. This cannot be. We expect political leaders to step up and present NDCs that truly respond to the climate urgency. We hope the delayed NDCs are at least taking the time to meaningfully engage those most affected by the climate crisis - this is key to root climate action in lived realities.'