WRAP has identified a lack of consistency in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) made by countries ahead of COP27. The climate action NGO said that only 79 out of 133 countries have directly committed to adopting a circular economy through their NDCs. The charity says that this inconsistency ‘seriously risks undermining essential work on climate action’.

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The pledges range from ‘undefined’ to ’ambitious and comprehensive strategies’. WRAP says the NDCs need ‘clear goals’ and ‘robust plans’.

WRAP also commented: “As a minimum, all countries must identify that circular economy is an area for action and reference this in their NDCs”.

This follows WRAP’s G7 report, which outlined seven strategies to tackle consumption-based emissions by G7 members and a companion report of food waste prevention commitments made in NDCs. WRAP noted the need to include actions in NDCs to reduce food waste in both reports.

Nationally Determined Commitments (NDCs)

NDCs are strategies submitted by national governments ahead of each COP that detail plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in keeping with the 2015 Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5 ˚C.

Of current pledges, most focus on the waste sector. Current commitments are also made in relation to construction, agriculture and tourism, depending on the priorities and economic configuration of the country.

WRAP says that at present it is only possible to challenge 45 per cent of total global emissions through rethinking the way we make and consume products and food. Renewable energy has the potential to take us halfway to net zero, but there needs to be a global shift towards challenging food systems and the growth of the circular economy.