UAE to Submit New National Climate Plan Ahead of COP29

UAE to Submit New National Climate Plan Ahead of COP29

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to release its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement before the COP29 climate summit in November. This move makes the UAE one of the first major emitters to submit its climate strategy ahead of the February 2025 deadline, signaling its commitment to addressing climate change. The new NDC will outline how the country plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions between 2025 and 2035.

NDCs are central to the Paris Agreement, requiring nations to periodically update their climate targets every five years. These plans are crucial for maintaining the global trajectory toward achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and limiting global temperature increases to 1.5°C. The UAE’s decision to release its updated NDC aims to encourage other countries to follow suit by presenting more ambitious emission reduction targets.

The announcement comes amid increased global pressure to transition away from fossil fuels, a key point of contention in previous climate negotiations. The upcoming NDC round is viewed as the first significant test of commitments made during COP28 to reduce fossil fuel reliance. As part of the international climate framework, the updated NDCs are expected to address emissions from oil, gas, and coal, sectors that were notably absent from earlier country submissions.

In light of these developments, advocacy groups have raised concerns about projected increases in oil and gas production by major fossil fuel producers, including the UAE. Some reports indicate that the combined output of past, current, and future COP hosts could rise by 33% by 2035. The effectiveness of the Paris Agreement hinges on countries aligning their NDCs with the overarching goal of reducing reliance on fossil fuels and transitioning to renewable energy sources to mitigate climate change.