G20 countries must commit to responding to NDC Ambition gaps at the G20 Summit, in line with equity.

Climate Action Network (CAN) is a global network of more than 1,900 civil society organisations in over 130 countries driving collective and sustainable action to fight the climate crisis and to achieve social and racial justice.

Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) are the cornerstone of the Paris Agreement. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has affirmed that achieving the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target is a binding legal obligation for all countries, not merely an aspiration, and requires enhanced NDCs every five years in line with justice and fairness. Behind every weak NDC are real lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems being lost to the escalating impacts of climate change.

Despite clear legal and moral obligation to act, by September 30 (the deadline to submit NDCs), only six G20 members (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Russia, and the UK) had done so. Their NDCs, however, were neither aligned with 1.5 degrees nor grounded in climate justice, falling short of the G20’s responsibility to take the lead in climate action in line with equity and fair shares. The G20 accounts for 76% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 84% of cumulative historical CO2 emissions.

In the lead-up to COP30 and the G20 Summit, and as of 18 November 2025, six new G20 NDCs have been submitted (EU, China, Turkey, South Africa, Mexico, and Indonesia), while four G20 countries are yet to submit new NDCs (Argentina, India, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia). Meanwhile, the U.S. NDC will not be implemented due to the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. 

This updated analysis of G20 NDCs makes it clear that the G20 has not lived up to its responsibilities regarding emissions reductions, climate justice, and financial commitments by its developed countries members.

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Download file: http://CAN-G20-NDC-advocacy-brief.pdf