Climate risks are intensifying. In 2025, record heatwaves, floods, droughts and wildfires highlighted the growing vulnerability of societies and economies. Signs are becoming more evident that ecosystems may be fast approaching critical climate tipping points, including changes in ocean circulation and sea ice decline. Meanwhile, climate‑related disasters are already causing escalating social and economic costs, with damages of over USD 328 billion and 16 000 recorded deaths in 2024 across the world. These developments underscore the urgent need for adaptation, particularly in more vulnerable countries, but also the importance of ambitious and effective mitigation action.
Global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reached a record high of 55 Gt CO₂e in 2023, leaving the world off track to meet the 1.5°C and 2°C temperature goals. While some progress has been achieved, and the Paris Agreement has been critical in this, current commitments remain insufficient and implementation gaps persist.
Current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs, 2030) are not aligned with 2050 targets and only 17.7% of global emissions currently covered by national net zero pledges are enshrined in legally binding legislation. The forthcoming set of 2035 NDCs (NDC 3.0) provides a critical opportunity to raise ambition and credibility.
The OECD’s Climate Actions and Policies Measurement Framework (CAPMF) shows that global climate action expanded by only 1% in 2024, continuing the slowdown since 2021. This can no longer be explained by the COVID‑19 pandemic or the subsequent economic crisis: it reflects a loss of momentum in implementing effective policy responses. There is clear evidence of a global climate action implementation gap.
Progress in climate action in 2024 was not uniform across countries, sectors and policy instruments. While progress was recorded in emissions trading systems, transport-related policies (e.g. new phase outs of internal combustion engines), and carbon neutrality targets; other market-based instruments, such as carbon pricing, remain less used and cover less than half of global emissions. Other positive developments included higher government spending on low-carbon research and development as well as regulations such as updated building codes and accelerated phase outs of coal plants.
Sectoral challenges remain significant. Fossil fuel use in electricity and heat and transport, continue to drive emissions, with only limited progress in shifting towards cleaner alternatives. Although electric vehicle uptake and internal combustion engine phase-outs are advancing, transport emissions remain high and overall policy action lags compared to other sectors despite recent progress.
National climate action requires tailored approaches, reflecting diverse countries circumstances, including income levels, structural factors and institutional capacity. Nevertheless, decoupling emissions from economic and population growth is central to long-term climate mitigation. Developing countries require support to ensure that economic growth is increasingly decarbonised.
The global response to climate change remains insufficient. Stronger policies, faster implementation, and legally binding measures are urgently needed to close the ambition and delivery gaps. The cost of inaction is rising, with increasing economic losses, social inequalities and environmental damages.