The UN Development Programme (UNDP) has launched ‘Climate Promise 2025’ – an initiative to support developing countries as they prepare their climate action plans under the Paris Agreement on climate change. The next round of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) is due in 2025.

The Climate Promise is UNDP’s flagship initiative that aims “to ensure that any country wishing to increase the ambition of their national climate pledge is able to do so.” According to UNDP, Climate Promise 2025 “marks the beginning of renewed efforts on climate action across the UN system ahead of 2025” when countries are due to submit the second round of commitments under the Paris Agreement. It seeks to help developing countries align the next generation of their NDCs to the goals of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C and increasing resilience to climate change impacts.

“Done right, national climate plans double as national investment plans, and reinforce National Development Plans,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the launch event. “They can catapult sustainable development – connecting billions to clean power, boosting health, creating clean jobs, and advancing equality.”

Guterres emphasized the importance of achieving “what the science tells us is necessary” by reducing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 43% by 2030 compared to 2019, “slamm[ing] the brakes on deforestation,” tripling renewable energy capacity, and accelerating “a just and equitable phase out of fossil fuels.”

Citing the outcome of the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 28) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – the UAE Consensus, the Secretary-General said countries’ NDCs must align with the 1.5°C temperature limit, “in the light of the different national circumstances,” and cover all GHGs and sectors as well as the entire economy.

Guterres called on the Group of 20 (G20) to lead on climate action by submitting robust, ambitious, and comprehensive NDCs “well ahead” of the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 30), committing to dramatically accelerate fossil fuel phase-out, specifying policies and regulations to provide predictability to markets, and increasing financial and technology support for developing countries. He stressed the need for “significant contributions” to Loss and Damage Fund, action on debt, and a strong finance outcome at COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Underscoring the critical role of the next two years in putting the world on a 1.5°C pathway, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner said Climate Promise 2025 “will support countries around the world to develop and deliver their pledges under the Paris Agreement and take bold steps toward a net-zero, resilient, and inclusive future.”

On the last round of NDCs, the Climate Promise supported 128 developing countries in producing NDCs that increase quality and ambition to deliver the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Climate Promise 2025 was launched in New York, US, on 23 April 2024. UNDP hosted the launch event. [UNDP News Story] [UN News Story] [Nationally Determined Contributions] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on Climate COP Presidencies Troika Launching ‘Roadmap to Mission 1.5°C’]