CCAC NDC Watch - Pre-COP Review of Non-CO₂ Pollutants in Climate Plans
Last week, the UNFCCC Secretariat published a report summarizing data from 64 new nationally determined contributions (NDCs) released by September 30, 2025. The report shows clear and growing progress in addressing climate change.
Our analysis reveals that countries participating in the Paris Agreement are increasingly incorporating measures on super pollutants within their NDC strategies. This trend is evident in the rise of countries including super pollutants in their overall greenhouse gas mitigation targets.
Increased Coverage of Super Pollutants
- The share of latest NDCs covering methane, nitrous oxide, and HFCs has risen by 22%, 22%, and 61% respectively compared to pre-2020 NDCs.
- Although not strictly recommended by CCAC Guidance, the inclusion of black carbon has doubled.
- The inclusion of non-methane tropospheric ozone precursors has tripled, showing increased ambition on these pollutants.
Enhanced Quantified Targets and Mitigation Assessments
The number of countries setting quantified targets or assessing mitigation potential for these pollutants has grown significantly from nearly zero in earlier NDCs. Previously, only two NDCs included such metrics for black carbon.
As of 30 September, "35 countries include a quantified methane target or assessment of mitigation potential in their latest NDC, while 23 and 9 include HFCs and black carbon in this way respectively."
This data underscores a more robust and detailed approach toward reducing impactful non-CO₂ greenhouse gases in national climate plans.
Author’s summary: Nations are increasingly setting concrete targets and assessing mitigation measures for super pollutants in their climate commitments, reflecting rising global ambition beyond CO₂ emissions.