CoP 30: Delay in submitting upgraded NDCs ‘matter of concern’

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are the most important action agenda for any climate action, and a major country and economy like India lagging behind in submitting upgraded NDCs is a “matter of concern,” say environmentalists. “It also hampers our credibility and ability to raise climate finance from international sources,” said Soumya Dutta, national working group member of the National Alliance of People’s Movements, while speaking to The Statesman from the ongoing CoP 30 at Belém.

“NDCs are the most important action agenda for any climate action, and it is important that all nations, including developing countries, work on it and submit it on time so that it is known what actions are being taken, the gaps in the actions taken, and the kind of climate finance that is needed for the proposed actions. India is a major country and economy, and not being able to submit upgraded NDCs is a matter of concern,” he says.

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Notably, all countries are expected to submit the key plan every five years. More than 110 nations, including small countries, submitted their revised intentions before the CoP started. Apparently, questions are being raised internationally on the delay by India. “Every country should have submitted revised NDCs with conditional or unconditional actions. The view is that in the past two to three years, India seems to be downplaying climate actions,” says an official.

According to India, it achieved its NDC target five years ahead of the 2030 goal.

Delivering India’s National Statement at the High-Level Segment at Belém, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said India’s emission intensity has declined by over 36% since 2005 and that it would submit an expanded set of climate commitments, its revised NDCs till 2035, by December. “India’s emissions intensity has declined by over 36% since 2005, and non-fossil sources now account for more than half of our total electric power installed capacity (currently around 256 GW). This is an NDC target achieved five years ahead of our 2030 goal,” the minister said.

Notably, the original deadline for submitting upgraded NDCs was February 10, 2025, which many countries, including India, missed. The deadline was extended to September 2025 so that countries’ plans can be included in the 2025 NDC Synthesis Report. As of mid-November 2025, over 110 countries had submitted updated NDCs, representing more than 70% of global emissions, all with targets aimed at stronger climate action, according to reports.