WWF responds to the UK’s national climate plan
Posted on January, 30 2025
30 January 2025: Today the UK government published its national climate plan - known as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) - and submitted it to the UN. The plan targets at least 81% greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2035, compared to 1990 levels.This year, all countries are expected to submit enhanced national climate plans as part of their obligations under the Paris Agreement. After today’s submission, the UK joins a handful of countries who have already submitted their 2035 NDC: Madagascar, Panama, UAE, Brazil, Botswana, Switzerland and Uruguay.
Isabella O'Dowd, WWF-UK's head of climate policy, said: "The new UK climate plan is a step forward, and the Government is right to focus on restoring nature and cutting fossil fuels. But ambition alone won't reduce emissions – we cannot afford major polluters like aviation to remain unchecked.
“With COP30 on the horizon, the government must prove it can turn promises into action. Rather than wasting money on costly white elephants, it should back lasting solutions at home and overseas - like insulating homes, investing in clean power, and keeping our precious forests standing. That's how we create more jobs, ease the cost of living, and build a more secure future for the UK and the world."
Shirley Matheson, WWF Global NDC Enhancement Coordinator, said: “The UK’s national climate plan is a positive signal to other countries to raise their ambitions and seize the opportunities of a low-carbon and resilient future. If other high-emitting G20 countries match the UK’s target and set out their climate strategies soon, it could help raise the level of ambition globally, and drive serious emission reductions around the world.
“The UK’s climate plan includes core ingredients that we want to see other countries also focus on, including the energy transition, food systems transformation and clear linkages to much-needed actions on biodiversity. This is a pivotal year for setting the future direction of climate action. As all countries are due to submit their new climate plans to the UN this year, the world will be watching to see if we can collectively step up and deliver the action that is needed to secure our living planet for future generations.”
WWF’s NDCsWeWant Checklist includes important elements for countries to consider in developing new national climate plans.
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WWF International: news@wwfint.org
WWF UK: press@wwf.org.uk