Nations skip climate deadline: Only few follow rules

Listen To Story Above

A significant number of major nations failed to meet Monday’s U.N. deadline for submitting updated carbon emission reduction targets, with notable absences including China, India, and the European Union.

According to a U.N. database monitoring submissions, fewer than 10 countries out of nearly 200 fulfilled their obligation under the Paris Climate Agreement to present new climate plans by February 10.

The agreement stipulates that participating nations must outline more ambitious emission reduction goals for 2035, accompanied by comprehensive strategies for achieving these targets.

Most nations miss deadline for plans to fight climate change. U.N. says take time to do it right
https://t.co/QWCZfCtuH5

/div>

— Akhbarpoint (@akhbarpoint) February 10, 2025

The significance of these national commitments was emphasized by U.N. climate chief Simon Stiell, who described them as “the most important policy documents of this century.”

Among G20 nations, participation was notably low, with only the United States, Britain, and Brazil – this year’s U.N. climate summit host – submitting their plans on schedule.

The American submission carries limited weight, having been made prior to President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement in favor of prioritizing U.S. energy development and employment growth.

Trump announced America’s departure from the U.N.-managed climate accord immediately upon returning to office.

“In recent years, the United States has purported to join international agreements and initiatives that do not reflect our country’s values or our contributions to the pursuit of economic and environmental objectives,” Trump’s executive order read.

A new climate deadline has arrived.

March 18, 2030.

All-knowing climate oracle, Ben, says we have just 66 months left to act on climate (i.e., dismantle capitalism) or else we will face extinction.

Nothing is going to happen, of course, so in five and a half years, I’ll check… pic.twitter.com/0RkuoIu52x

— Chris Martz (@ChrisMartzWX) September 18, 2024

“Moreover, these agreements steer American taxpayer dollars to countries that do not require, or merit, financial assistance in the interests of the American people.”

According to AFP, Ebony Holland from the International Institute for Environment and Development in London acknowledged that while the U.S. withdrawal represented a “clearly a setback,” multiple factors contributed to the poor response rate.

“It’s clear there are some broad geopolitical shifts underway that are proving to be a challenge when it comes to international cooperation, especially on big issues like climate change,” she said.