By Abbas Nazil
A recent report by 350.org, in collaboration with Zero Carbon Analytics, reveals that most countries updating their national climate commitments are significantly increasing their renewable energy targets.
The analysis, based on submissions as of March 10, 2025, highlights that 15 out of the 19 countries that have submitted their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) have incorporated new or strengthened ambitions for renewable energy deployment by 2035.
This trend underscores a growing commitment to accelerating the global transition away from fossil fuels.
Among the key findings, the report highlights that seven countries have introduced new renewable energy targets or significantly raised their existing goals.
More than 80 percent of the nations with new NDCs have also pledged support for the COP28 objective of tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030.
This widespread commitment reflects increasing recognition of the economic, security, and affordability advantages associated with clean energy.
Several nations have positioned themselves as frontrunners in this energy shift. The United Kingdom has pledged that at least 95 percent of Great Britain’s electricity will come from wind, solar, offshore wind, and nuclear by 2030.
The United States has set an ambitious goal of achieving 100% clean electricity, incorporating both renewables and nuclear, by 2035.
Meanwhile, the UAE aims to boost its renewable energy capacity by more than 500 percent, increasing from 3.7 GW to 19.8 GW by 2030.
The Marshall Islands has set a target of 66% renewable energy by 2030, with a long-term goal of net-zero energy systems by 2050.
Some countries have already exceeded their previous commitments.
Brazil, for example, generated 89 percent of its electricity from renewable sources in 2023, surpassing its original 2030 target of 84 percent.
Nations such as Japan, the UK, and Switzerland are deploying renewable energy at a faster pace than required to meet their 2030 goals.
Notably, seven of the 19 analyzed countries have set highly ambitious goals to achieve over 90 percent renewable electricity by 2030 or 2035.
Despite this encouraging progress, experts stress that ambition alone is insufficient. Andreas Sieber, Associate Director of Policy and Campaigns at 350.org, emphasized that governments must follow through with policies that translate these commitments into action.
He warned that without rapid implementation, significant investment, and strict accountability measures, these pledges risk becoming empty promises.
With a September deadline for updated NDC submissions to the UN, Sieber urged remaining nations, including major economies like the European Union and China, to harness the growing momentum.
He stressed that these commitments will play a crucial role in determining whether the world remains on track to meet its climate targets as countries set new emissions reduction goals for 2035.