Definition of Climate Action According to the United Nations
The United Nations defines “Climate Action” under Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) as urgent and comprehensive efforts to combat climate change and its impacts through both mitigation and adaptation strategies at local, national, and global levels. The official mandate encourages countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation), strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards, incorporate climate measures into policies, and enhance education, awareness, and institutional capacity on climate change issues. Central to climate action is the implementation of the Paris Agreement, which sets the objective of limiting the global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with an aspirational goal of 1.5°C. Climate action encompasses transformations in energy, industry, transport, agriculture, food, and forestry systems in order to achieve these targets and promote long-term sustainability for people and the planet. It further emphasizes the mobilization of substantial financial resources, such as the goal of providing at least US$100 billion annually to support developing countries in climate adaptation and low-carbon development.
Countries with the Least Climate Action
Countries exhibiting the least climate action are typically identified through international assessments and UN reporting mechanisms as those whose climate policies and commitments are rated as "critically insufficient" or falling far short of the Paris Agreement targets. These countries often lack updated or ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), or their submitted plans do not reflect the urgency required to mitigate climate risks. According to recent UN reports and climate action trackers, some of the countries with the least climate ambition or slowest progress include:
Iran
Russia
Turkey
Saudi Arabia
South Korea
Argentina
Mexico
Indonesia
Other major emitters such as the United States, China, and India have also faced criticism for delayed or limited action, although their absolute emissions are high and their policies receive extensive scrutiny. G20 nations, which account for about 75% of global emissions, are notable for their overall insufficient efforts, with many failing to submit or update their plans in line with the 1.5°C goal. Additionally, many least developed countries (LDCs), while responsible for a small share of total emissions, face profound resource and capacity constraints, making effective climate action challenging.
Consequences of Climate Inaction
The consequences of climate inaction are severe, far-reaching, and accelerating. At the global and national levels, insufficient climate action results in a sharp rise in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events—such as hurricanes, floods, droughts, and heatwaves—as well as rising sea levels, retreating glaciers, and ecosystem collapse. Without rapid emissions reductions, the current trajectory is projected to lead to a global average temperature increase of 2.5–2.9°C by the end of the century, which would have devastating social, environmental, and economic impacts.
Human and Environmental Suffering:
Health: The incidence of heat-related illnesses and deaths is rising, with some projections showing a three-fold increase in heat-related mortality by mid-century if climate inaction continues. Climate change contributes to the spread of vector-borne diseases and malnutrition, with 40 million people at risk of being driven into extreme poverty due to deteriorating health and livelihoods by 2030.
Food and Water Security: Increased droughts and unpredictable rainfall undermine agricultural productivity, contributing to food insecurity and hunger, especially in poor and agrarian-dependent nations. Water scarcity is projected to affect billions, leading to displacement and conflict over resources.
Economic Losses: Disasters linked to climate change cause hundreds of billions in economic losses annually, with the heaviest toll—often up to 10% or more of GDP—falling on the world’s poorest countries and small island states.
Displacement and Migration: Millions are already being displaced each year due to climate-related disasters; by 2050, up to 70 million people in vulnerable regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa could be forced to migrate because of worsening conditions.
Environmental Costs:
Loss and degradation of ecosystems such as forests, coral reefs, and wetlands, leading to diminished biodiversity, fewer ecosystem services, and reduced carbon uptake.
Intensified soil erosion and desertification, which further reduce agricultural viability and increase vulnerability to hunger and poverty.
Ocean acidification and rising temperatures that disrupt marine ecosystems, fisheries, and food chains critical for billions.
Other Pressing Matters in Countries with the Most Climate Inaction
Countries with the lowest levels of climate action are often beset by a convergence of other major crises, which undermine both their capacity and willingness to prioritize climate strategies:
Extreme Poverty and Inequality: Many climate-vulnerable and inaction-prone nations have high poverty rates, with significant portions of the population struggling to meet basic needs.
Political Instability and Conflict: Fragile states, such as Syria, Yemen, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Afghanistan, face chronic conflict and weak institutions, making effective climate governance almost impossible.
Rapid Population Growth and Urbanization: A lack of infrastructure to accommodate rising populations stresses water, health, and housing systems, increasing vulnerability to climate shocks.
Health Crises: Widespread health burdens, often exacerbated by climate-related events, further diminish local resilience.
Food Insecurity: Recurring droughts, floods, and land degradation sharply reduce food production, driving hunger and malnutrition.
United Nations Institutions Active in Countries with Limited Climate Action
A range of UN institutions are actively supporting countries with limited climate action regardless of their capacity, development status, or political will. These key agencies include:
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP):
Acts as the lead entity for supporting climate action in over 140 countries through its "Climate Promise," providing technical assistance, capacity building, and financial support for formulating and implementing ambitious climate strategies (including NDCs). UNDP also works to align climate measures with broader development and poverty reduction goals, ensuring coherence and helping to embed climate resilience into national planning.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):
UNEP provides scientific data, guides policy formulation, supports low-carbon transition, and operates adaptation and mitigation programs in vulnerable countries. UNEP works across sectors and with governments to foster evidence-based decisions, scale up climate finance, and implement nature-based solutions.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC):
Oversees the global climate regime, coordinates international negotiations, and monitors progress on climate commitments through the management and regular review of NDCs. The UNFCCC also manages funds such as the Green Climate Fund for supporting mitigation and adaptation in developing nations.
Other Specialized Agencies:
FAO: Leads on climate-resilient agriculture and food security.
ILO: Focuses on climate-resilient and green jobs, protecting workers’ rights and supporting just transitions.
UN-Habitat: Supports urban climate adaptation and resilience.
UNHCR: Protects and assists climate-displaced populations.
WMO: Provides meteorological and climate services critical for early warning and disaster reduction.
How These UN Institutions Support SDG 13
The support provided by UN agencies is multidimensional:
Policy and Institutional Development:
Guidance in developing comprehensive climate policies, integrating climate risk into national and sectoral strategies, and mainstreaming climate resilience into laws and regulations.
Capacity Building and Technical Assistance:
Training government officials, supporting climate data collection, and strengthening institutions—for example, helping countries establish early warning systems and implement disaster risk reduction strategies.
Climate Finance Facilitation:
Assisting countries in designing bankable adaptation and mitigation projects, facilitating access to global climate finance mechanisms, and leveraging public and private investment for sustainable development.
Monitoring, Reporting, and Education:
Supporting transparent reporting on emissions and adaptation progress, fostering public awareness campaigns, and integrating climate change education into curricula.
Direct Programmatic Support:
Implementing on-the-ground projects in adaptation (such as drought-resistant agriculture, resilient infrastructure), disaster risk reduction (such as flood defense systems), reforestation, livelihood diversification, and energy transitions.
International Coordination and Partnerships:
Promoting South-South and triangular cooperation, engaging stakeholders such as civil society, private sector, and academia, and forming multilateral coalitions for climate resilience and emission reduction.
In conclusion, while countries with the least climate action are often those with the lowest capacity or political will, they pay the highest human and environmental costs for inaction. The United Nations, through its specialized agencies and partnerships, plays a pivotal role in supporting these countries to build resilience, improve livelihoods, accelerate emissions reduction, and achieve the full spectrum of SDG 13 targets.
