CCAC NDC Watch - Pre-COP Review of Latest Non-CO₂ Pollutants in National Climate Plans
Last week, the UNFCCC Secretariat published a report summarizing information from 64 new nationally determined contributions (NDCs) submitted in 2025 up to 30th September. The report shows real and growing progress in tackling climate change.
Our analysis reveals that countries under the Paris Agreement are increasingly addressing super pollutants within their NDC strategies. This is reflected in the rising number of countries including super pollutants in their overall greenhouse gas reduction goals.
- The share of NDCs covering methane, nitrous oxide, and HFCs has grown by 22%, 22%, and 61% respectively compared to pre-2020 submissions.
- Although not formally recommended (see CCAC Guidance), the inclusion of black carbon has doubled.
- Inclusion of non-methane tropospheric ozone precursors has tripled, showing increased ambition on these pollutants.
Additionally, the number of countries setting quantified targets or assessing mitigation potential for measures in their NDCs has significantly increased from nearly none before 2020. Previously, only two NDCs addressed black carbon in this way.
As of 30 September:
- 35 countries include a quantified methane target or mitigation potential assessment.
- 23 countries do so for HFCs.
- 9 countries include black carbon in this manner.
"Countries party to the Paris Agreement are increasingly including action on super pollutants as part of the suite of strategies integrated in their NDCs."
"Compared to pre-2020 NDCs the number of latest NDCs covering methane, nitrous oxide, HFCs has increased by 22%, 22%, and 61% respectively."
Author’s summary: The 2025 NDCs show marked growth in commitments to reduce major super pollutants, indicating stronger global action on climate mitigation beyond CO₂.