Why is it in the news?

• The Climate Promise 2025 Launch took place in the Economic and Social Council chamber in New York.

About UNDP’s Climate Promise

• The Climate Promise is the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) initiative in response to climate change.
• It constitutes the world’s largest offer of support to countries regarding their national climate pledges under the Paris Agreement.
• These pledges, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), are vital for achieving net-zero emissions and fulfilling the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
• The initiative extends support to over 120 countries, with collaboration from more than 35 partners, making a significant contribution to the NDC Partnership.
• It focuses on five key technical areas to assist countries in taking decisive action: reducing emissions, enhancing resilience to climate impacts, and supporting sustainable development priorities.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs):

• NDC is a non-binding climate action plan to cut emissions and adapt to climate impacts.
• The concept emerged in the lead-up to the 2015 Paris Agreement, where countries collectively agreed to limit global temperature increases.
• Each party to the Paris Agreement must establish an NDC and update it every five years.
• They are the UNFCCC‘s first greenhouse gas targets, applying equally to developed and developing nations.