Renewable energy and climate pledges: Five years after the Paris Agreement

With signing of the Paris Agreement, countries pledged to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to adapt to the impacts of climate change. By scaling up renewable energy, countries can sharply reduce one major source of the problem: energy-related CO2 emissions.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) quantify the commitment of each Party (or signatory that has ratified the Paris Agreement) to reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

This brief updates ongoing NDC analysis by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) based on new pledges submitted in 2020. IRENA supports countries in the implementation and enhancement of their NDCs through accelerated deployment of renewables.