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At a time when climate action is faltering in some regions, the UK has promised steep emissions cuts over the next decade in its latest pledge to the world.
The context: President Donald Trump is once again withdrawing the US from the Paris Agreement, a 2015 pact between almost all nations aimed at tackling the climate crisis. That’s raised concerns about a broader retreat from the deal, with Indonesia already signalling that it may follow America’s lead.
Meanwhile, time is fast running out to avert a full-blown climate catastrophe.
The latest: The UK has formally submitted its 2035 decarbonisation targets — known as ‘nationally determined contributions’, or NDCs — to the UN’s main climate body. It’s the eighth country to do so ahead of the UN deadline of February 10, 2025.
In line with the recommendations put forward by independent scientific bodies, the UK has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions 81% by 2035, relative to 1990 levels. And by 2030, it must slash emissions 68%.
As the sixth-largest economy in the world, Britain can at least partially fill the void left by the US, and analysts hope the country’s bold commitments will encourage others to stay the course on climate action.
The country phased out coal-fired power in September 2024, and its updated NDCs require that it stop issuing new oil and gas exploration licenses, almost entirely axe fossil fuels from its electricity mix by 2030, end petrol car sales by the same time, and gradually phase out fossil fuel subsidies.
“Overall, the UK’s 2035 climate plan is ambitious and credible, and an example to other governments that are still developing their NDCs,” the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) said in a statement.
“The UK’s NDC is an encouraging sign of leadership, especially following the US’ step back, and will hopefully catalyse a new wave of ambition from other countries,” says Edward Davey, head of the World Resources Institute’s UK office.
“The plan puts people at the heart of the climate transition, which is key for its long-term success. It will lower electricity bills, increase innovation, and build a strong future for the country with jobs in emerging industries,” Davey said. “In an increasingly uncertain world, it strengthens the UK’s resilience to a changing climate and helps provide long-term energy security.”
Further, the country’s commitment to provide £11.6 billion in international climate and nature finance over the next year “is reassuring amid global aid budget pressures”.
Yes, but: Key implementation details still need to be hashed out, particularly with regards to decarbonising aviation, shipping, and food systems.
To ensure its NDCs remain credible, the UK government will need to move fast to provide clear policy signals, concrete delivery plans, and supportive budgets, Davey said.
“The government says aviation and shipping must contribute to meeting the net zero goal,” the IISD noted. “However, this week it backed an expansion of Heathrow airport, which is unlikely to be compatible with its legally binding carbon budgets. These mixed messages are unhelpful.”
Policymakers are banking on new technologies to decarbonise the aviation sector — such as hydrogen and battery-powered planes — though experts are sceptical that these will mature any time soon.
“Looking ahead, we will deliver an updated cross-economy plan to meet our climate targets in due course, with full detail of policy packages for all sectors,” the UK’s NDC document states.
Among other things, the country will need to rapidly expand its power grid as households switch to electric heating appliances and EVs. The National Energy System Operator expects electricity demand to rise by 40% over the next decade.
Aside from grid investments, the country will need to vastly scale up its renewable energy industry. In 2024, domestic renewables and nuclear covered 58% of the nation’s electricity needs.
It’ll also need to build out its EV infrastructure at a brisk pace. In January 2025, 30.4% of new cars sold were either pure EVs or plug-in hybrids, according to research group New AutoMotive.
