"NDCs" stands for Nationally Determined Contributions, also known as climate change action plans or climate goals. They are self-defined national commitments established under the Paris Agreement, and they draw a roadmap for each country to do their part on stopping the climate crisis.

NDCs are important because they detail how countries plan to reduce emissions, adapt to climate impacts and ensure concrete investments to stay in line with the 1.5˚C heating goal established by the Paris Agreement to safeguard a liveable planet for all.

All countries are expected to update their NDCs every five years, with better and more ambitious plans – but unfortunately, that's not always the case. That's why we are coming together to put a critical spotlight on those countries which are lagging behind, and pressure them to commit to ambitious people-powered climate goals.

If we add up what countries have committed so far in their current NDCs, it will not be enough to keep temperatures below 1.5˚C heating – they will actually put us in the path for a 2.5 - 2.9˚C temperature increase, which would be catastrophic for all life on the planet. So it's that simple: the current NDCs are not good enough.

At the UN climate talks in Dubai (COP28), countries committed to phasing out fossil fuels, tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 as necessary and urgent measures for stopping the climate crisis. But these goals will be hollow without clear targets and financial commitments – and this is where the NDCs come into play.

Good NDCs will ensure that countries commit to both ambitious renewables targets and ambitious emissions reduction targets, to limit global heating as much and as quickly as possible. They will also be measurable, concrete and time-bound (e.g. a percentage of growth on renewable energy sources on a country's energy mix by a certain date) and follow the justice principles.

We need to see the commitment to policies that cut both consumption and production of fossil fuels, to keep us within the 1.5˚C heating goal and in line with the Paris Agreement. We also need to see countries significantly scaling-up climate finance, to ensure that tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030 is feasible. And, beyond that, we need transparent and detailed plans, backed by strong government policy and action. These national climate plans must not only set ambitious targets for 2035 but also revisit and strengthen current targets, clearly showing how countries will decisively shift away from fossil fuels and towards renewables that create jobs, ensure energy security and access, and build accountability for a just transition. Read our open-letter for more details.

In 2024 and early 2025, countries are expected to submit new NDCs for the period 2025 - 2035. These new climate action plans are so important because they will guide us in what may be our last window of opportunity to secure a liveable planet for all. What we do now, in the next five or ten years, will define if we manage to keep global heating to a safe level or if we unleash a climate point of no return. Now is the time to push our governments to show more climate ambition!

Global renewable power is soaring ahead of fossil fuels. In 2023, capacity skyrocketed by 36%, setting a new record for the 22nd year in a row. Renewable energy is also the most cost effective and efficient way to generate electricity. At the same time, temperatures have also reached record levels again and again and climate impacts are stronger than ever before. Phasing out fossil fuels and investing in renewables is more urgent than ever.

If we want to stay in line with the 1.5˚C heating goal and avoid the worst impacts of climate breakdown, we really need to phase out fossil fuels and triple our renewable energy capacity by 2030. Our political leaders need to stick to their promises and turn words into action: we need good NDCs that commit to a just fossil fuel phase out and raise ambition for fair, accessible and affordable renewable energy. And we need them now!

NDCs are crucial for ensuring that action does happen and it is ambitious enough. However, they alone are not enough to solve the climate crisis – climate goals need to be matched with climate action.

Climate action is about more than lowering GHGs, it is about removing the barriers and building the stage for just solutions to flourish. It is about showing political will, and about making the resources needed available – through urgently moving enough money into renewable energy that is good for the people. And it is about addressing historical social and economic responsibilities, within and across countries: those who caused the climate crisis need to pay for fixing it!

Our movement is calling for real climate action and ambition: we are demanding a way out from the climate crisis and a truly transformative energy transition that prioritizes people over corporate profit – creating jobs and revenue, lessening environmental impacts and offering more energy access to people in cities and rural areas. Throughout this year and beyond, we will keep pushing countries to not only submit good NDCs but to also turn these plans into reality.