CCAC NDC Watch - Pre-COP Review of Non-CO₂ Pollutants in National Climate Plans
Last week, the UNFCCC Secretariat published a report analyzing 64 new nationally determined contributions (NDCs) released by 30th September 2025. The report highlights genuine progress in global climate action.
Growing Focus on Super Pollutants
Our analysis shows that countries in the Paris Agreement increasingly address super pollutants in their NDCs. This is reflected in how many countries include these pollutants within their overall greenhouse gas reduction targets.
- The coverage of methane, nitrous oxide, and HFCs in the latest NDCs increased by 22%, 22%, and 61% respectively compared to pre-2020 NDCs.
- Black carbon inclusion doubled, and coverage of non-methane tropospheric ozone precursors tripled, demonstrating rising ambition despite these not being strictly recommended by the CCAC Guidance.
- The number of countries with additional quantified targets or assessments for mitigation potential in their NDCs has grown significantly from almost none before 2020.
Quantified Targets and Mitigation Assessments
As of 30 September,
- 35 countries include a quantified methane target or evaluate its mitigation potential.
- 23 countries do so for HFCs.
- 9 countries include black carbon in their quantified targets or mitigation assessments.
"Compared to pre-2020 NDCs, the number of latest NDCs covering methane, nitrous oxide, HFCs has increased by 22%, 22%, and 61% respectively."
"Inclusion of black carbon doubled, while the inclusion of non-methane tropospheric ozone precursors tripled, indicating increased ambition on both pollutants."
Author's summary: The latest NDCs reveal escalating commitment to mitigating super pollutants, marked by increased coverage and quantified targets, signaling stronger global climate efforts.