The 10 percent of nations responsible for nearly two thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions saw only a 1 percent increase in 2022, marking the smallest annual rise since 2000. An OECD study warns that climate action could slow down significantly in 2022, even as concerns about extreme weather and energy security grew louder that year.
The OECD published this briefing ahead of COP28, the 28th UN Climate Change Conference, scheduled to run from 30 November to 12 December in Abu Dhabi. The report examines how climate action has evolved across 50 countries, revealing a mismatch between ongoing policy efforts and the pace of adoption observed from 2000 to 2021, a period that had previously averaged a 10 percent annual growth in climate measures.
The accompanying visuals, including the floods image credited to Efe, illustrate the mounting climate risks faced by nations. The 2023 Climate Action and Policy Measurement Framework shows that climate action varies widely from country to country and represents the most comprehensive dataset on the fight against climate change. It concludes that stricter policy environments correlate with faster growth in mitigation actions.
“More is needed to achieve results”
Additionally, the Climate Action Monitor 2023 notes that the speed at which market-based instruments, governance measures, international cooperation, climate targets and data are adopted has slowed. OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann stressed that current emissions targets are far from what is required to meet the 1.5 degree pathway, underscoring the need to translate ambition into concrete action. He called for reliable policy implementation and emphasized that timely progress is essential.
Cormann also highlighted the value of consistent measurement. The International Climate Action Program provides harmonized, comparable data to monitor national climate action and the global net-zero trajectory, reinforcing that what is measured drives what is managed. The report forecasts more extreme weather, including higher exposure to heat, drought, and coastal flooding, particularly in urban areas, with notable shifts in soil moisture and thermal stress across OECD and partner economies.
Emissions must be reduced further
Reduce emissions by 30% more
The OECD argues that meeting the Paris Agreement goals would require participating countries to push their emissions cuts by roughly 30 percent beyond current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), relative to a baseline of 9,315 tonnes of CO2 in 2030. Global progress shows that while 104 countries and the European Union have set or proposed net-zero targets, only 26 countries plus the EU (27 in total) have enshrined these targets into law. This represents about 16 percent of global emissions and highlights a gap between intent and enforcement.
The monitor surveys all OECD members and partners, including Brazil, the People’s Republic of China, India, Indonesia, and South Africa, as well as potential members and other major economies such as the G20 nations. The Climate Policy and Action Measurement Framework (CAPMF) is a new OECD database that charts national climate action going back to 1990. It is the largest dataset of its kind, covering two-thirds of total greenhouse gas emissions and detailing 56 key policies with 130 variables, drawing on more than 300,000 data points across OECD countries and partners, excluding the United States for historical reasons. The CAPMF supports analysts and policymakers by providing a clear, unified view of how climate actions translate into real-world outcomes.
Full report: CAPMF documentation and the Climate Action Monitor 2023 are available through OECD channels, offering in-depth analysis and annexes that map policy effectiveness and outcomes across regions. These resources are cited to help stakeholders gauge progress and identify where adjustments are most needed, without relying on separate external sources in this discussion.
Two key themes emerge from the latest dataset: first, the pace of policy adoption matters as much as the policies themselves; second, the alignment between targets, actions and measurable results is essential for progress toward net zero. The framework highlights the importance of consistent data, transparent reporting and international collaboration to accelerate meaningful reductions in emissions and to mitigate the risks associated with climate extremes.
The organization notes that climate action data continues to grow in breadth and depth, with ongoing updates to policies and outcomes across economies. Analysts emphasize that stronger instruments, better governance, and cross-border cooperation can all contribute to steeper declines in emissions, provided they are backed by credible measurement and timely execution.
At the heart of the findings is a simple reminder: progress hinges on turning plans into practice. Without swift, verifiable actions, ambitious targets alone cannot safeguard communities from heat waves, droughts, and the rising threats of coastal flooding. The message is clear—more decisive and well-monitored efforts are required to translate policy ambition into real, tangible climate results.