100+ Nations Unveil Fresh Climate Action Plans

New York witnessed a powerful call for climate action as leaders from more than 100 countries announced new or updated national climate action plans during a high-level summit at the UN General Assembly.

The summit was co-hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, ahead of COP30 in Belém this November. Guterres urged nations to prepare ambitious 2035 plans with sharper emission cuts, a rapid clean energy shift, and stronger climate justice for developing countries.

Key areas of focus include phasing out fossil fuels, cutting methane emissions, protecting forests, reducing industrial pollution, and boosting finance for vulnerable nations.

China pledged to cut emissions by up to 10 percent from peak levels by 2035, while Brazil promised a 59–67 percent cut across sectors and ending deforestation by 2030. The European Union highlighted its 40 percent emission drop since 1990 and committed billions more for clean energy partnerships worldwide.

Smaller nations also stepped up: Belize pledged to plant one million trees and achieve 80 percent renewable energy by 2035.

Experts say that while the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target is still within reach, urgent action is needed. The summit showed growing global momentum to fight climate change — but also a reminder that the hardest work lies ahead.