2025 Programme Highlight
Climate Goals:
Supporting Asia’s Climate Commitments
Marking the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, 2025 was an important year for the global climate agenda, as countries submitted updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). In Asia, climate ambition strengthened on two fronts: in national commitments, and in the practical tools — from sectoral targets such as transport to carbon pricing — needed to turn those commitments into delivery. By the end of the year, many Asian geographies had submitted updated NDCs, several now including net-zero targets by 2050. And while ambition is still some way from a 1.5°C pathway, the direction of travel is encouraging, with several moving toward absolute targets, peak-and-decline trajectories, and stronger implementation frameworks. Tara partners supported this progress through technical analysis, scenario modelling, and engagement, helping strengthen both the credibility of national commitments and the tools to deliver them.
Key Highlights
Across the region, national commitments strengthened: Solar capacity grew by an estimated 32 GW from 2024 to 2025, while wind power grew by an estimated 3 GW.
- Many Asian geographies submitted updated NDCs during the year, with seven now including net-zero targets by 2050.
- In Japan, the updated NDC proposed a 60% emissions reduction by 2035 and 73% by 2040 relative to 2013 levels, while in South Korea, a 53–61% reduction below 2018 levels was announced at COP30 — a significant increase in ambition.
- In Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, new NDCs shifted to absolute targets and adopted peak-and-decline scenarios, with strengthening RE targets and the inclusion of just transition principles.
In South Korea, a transport emissions reduction target of 60.2–62.8% by 2035 was set — among the most ambitious in the region.
In Japan and South Korea, carbon pricing tools advanced. Japan’s framework for its mandatory emissions trading system (ETS) was completed for 2026, while South Korea strengthened its existing Korea Emissions Trading Scheme ahead of planned reforms.
In Busan, South Korea, Tara supported and joined a high-level roundtable discussion at the 16th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM16), advancing collaboration across government, industry and philanthropy to align international energy transition goals with domestic priorities.