CCAC NDC Watch: Pre-COP Review of Non-CO₂ Pollutants in National Climate Plans
Last week, the UNFCCC Secretariat published a report summarizing data from 64 new nationally determined contributions (NDCs) submitted by 30th September 2025. The report highlights notable progress in climate change action.
Increased Focus on Super Pollutants
Countries committed to the Paris Agreement are increasingly addressing super pollutants within their NDCs. This is reflected by the rising number of nations incorporating super pollutant targets into their overall greenhouse gas reduction goals.
- The coverage of methane and nitrous oxide in the latest NDCs has increased by 22% each compared to pre-2020 plans.
- HFCs inclusion has surged by 61%.
- Although not formally recommended by CCAC Guidance, black carbon inclusion has doubled.
- Actions targeting non-methane tropospheric ozone precursors have tripled, showing heightened commitment.
Quantified Targets and Mitigation Assessments Grow
The number of countries adding quantified targets or evaluating the mitigation potential within their NDCs has risen significantly from nearly zero in pre-2020 submissions.
“Only two pre-2020 NDCs included black carbon in this way. As of 30 September, 35 countries include a quantified methane target or mitigation assessment, while 23 and 9 countries do so for HFCs and black carbon, respectively.”
This trend signals stronger ambition and more detailed climate action planning.
Summary
The latest NDCs show a growing commitment among countries to tackle super pollutants with clearer, more measurable targets, reflecting an enhanced global climate strategy.