As the global climate crisis deepens, countries are increasingly aligning their environmental commitments with economic and social priorities, placing the concept of a just transition at the centre of their strategies.
This approach seeks to ensure that the shift toward low-emission and climate-resilient economies creates jobs, reduces inequality, and supports sustainable development, while ensuring that no one is left behind.
Contingent to these efforts are Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which outline how countries intend to meet their climate targets while addressing broader socio-economic challenges. According to the United Nations Development Programme, the latest third-generation NDCs represent a marked improvement in both ambition and structure, with more countries expanding sector coverage, refining implementation strategies, and strengthening investor confidence.
By the end of 2025, 128 countries, accounting for about 78 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, had submitted updated NDCs, including contributions from Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries, and major economies.
Notably, 75 percent of these plans now include economy-wide emission reduction targets extending to 2035, with many countries increasing their unconditional commitments, reflecting stronger domestic investment in climate action. However, experts warn that significant gaps remain, particularly in translating long-term goals into short- and medium-term action.
Scientific evidence suggesting that exceeding the 1.5°C global warming threshold is now increasingly likely has also shifted focus toward adaptation and resilience. Nearly 90 percent of NDCs from developing countries now include enhanced adaptation measures, many of which are more detailed, measurable, and multi-sectoral. In addition, around 80 percent explicitly address loss and damage, highlighting the urgent need to manage the impacts of climate change already being felt across vulnerable regions.
Beyond mitigation and adaptation, countries are also leveraging climate action as a tool for development. Many of the updated NDCs integrate policies aimed at improving energy access, protecting ecosystems, fostering innovation, and creating jobs. For Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, there is a strong emphasis on safeguarding progress in poverty reduction while strengthening the resilience of food systems and public health infrastructure.
To ensure that these ambitions translate into tangible outcomes, countries are placing greater emphasis on transparency and accountability. About 88 percent of developing countries are establishing or strengthening national systems to track progress on climate commitments, while 80 percent are providing clearer signals to attract climate finance. These frameworks are seen as essential for building trust, enhancing credibility, and unlocking the investment needed to drive large-scale transformation.
Through its Climate Promise initiative, the UNDP has supported more than 100 countries in revising their NDCs, with 61 of them submitting updated plans by the end of 2025. A new phase, Climate Promise: Forward, is now focused on accelerating implementation and ensuring that countries can effectively move from ambition to action.
As more nations prepare to update their plans in 2026, the global climate agenda is entering a decisive phase. The challenge is no longer just about setting targets, but about delivering real-world results that protect the planet while improving lives. In this context, a just transition is emerging not only as a guiding principle, but as a practical pathway to achieving a sustainable and inclusive future.
