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The NewClimate Institute's 2025 update evaluates the progress of 25 major emitters, representing over 80% of global emissions, toward their climate mitigation targets. The report finds that while total emissions under current policies may peak by 2026, the projected reductions are insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal, which requires a 43% reduction by 2030 compared to 2019 levels.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing the Life After Coal/Impilo Ngaphandle Kwamalahle Campaign, submitted comments on South Africa's Draft Second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The submission argues that the draft's mitigation targets are inadequate and lack ambition, proposing instead more stringent emission limits aligned with the 1.5°C global warming target. The CER also criticizes the lack of transparency in the process, specifically the late release of the underlying technical report, and calls for stronger integration of climate justice, adaptation measures, and a clear commitment to phasing out fossil fuels.

This report examines methods for setting national mitigation targets under the Paris Agreement to align with long-term temperature limits, specifically comparing cost-effectiveness and equity-based approaches. It discusses the role of international support in bridging the gap between these approaches, the spill-over effects of domestic climate policies, and the potential for the European Union to accelerate global climate efforts through its own neutrality goals and leadership.

This research paper proposes a typology and design options for limits on the international transfer of "hot air"—emissions reductions that occur because a country's mitigation targets are higher than its projected emissions—to protect the environmental integrity of the Paris Agreement.

This research paper analyzes 163 Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (I)NDCs submitted by October 12, 2016, to evaluate how their diverse structures impact the robust accounting of international transfers under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The authors categorize targets by type, scope, and methodology, concluding that economy-wide absolute emission targets are the most conducive to straightforward accounting.

The paper argues that single-year emissions targets are fundamentally flawed compared to continuous multi-year targets because they create uncertainty regarding cumulative emissions, are more susceptible to annual variability, and are incompatible with domestic emissions trading schemes. The authors highlight that the use of tradable units can further reduce the ambition of single-year targets, potentially allowing countries to meet goals without domestic mitigation. They recommend that future international agreements mandate continuous multi-year targets to ensure comparability and align with global carbon budgets.