African civil society organizations and environmental leaders have expressed both cautious optimism and deep disappointment in the United States’ new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
In an announcement the U.S. pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 61–66% by 2035 from 2005 levels.
Many African voices have welcomed the higher ambition yet criticized the updated pledge for lacking a strong sense of climate justice and historical responsibility.
They point to persistent funding shortfalls for adaptation in the Global South, the continued financing of fossil fuel projects, and insufficient reparations for loss and damage.
African Center for Climate, Energy and Sustainable Development (AFRICED) Director Safiatou Nana, speaking from Burkina Faso, questioned the U.S. commitment to climate equity.
“While the U.S.’s updated NDC reflects ambition, it falls short of addressing the historical and moral responsibility of the world’s largest polluter. We call on the U.S. to stop funding wars, account for military emissions, and significantly scale up climate finance to vulnerable nations.
Climate justice demands action that prioritizes the lives of those most affected through adaptation, loss and damage reparations, and an end to fossil fuel expansion. True leadership means standing with the Global South in solidarity, not just ambition.”
Several leaders from African civil society have focused on the U.S. failure to address military emissions, which remain exempt from international reporting.
They argued that U.S. military operations contribute significantly to greenhouse gases. These emissions are not calculated in official figures, making it more difficult for the Global South to hold the U.S. accountable.
Critics say funds used for foreign interventions could instead help developing nations become more resilient to climate impacts. Recurrent floods, droughts, and desertification now cost Africa billions annually, even though the continent contributes less than 4% of global emissions.
The updated U.S. NDC speaks to domestic clean energy investments under the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
White House officials, including National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi and Senior Adviser John Podesta, explained that these measures have accelerated decarbonization across multiple sectors.
However, groups in Africa say that matching these domestic actions with fair international climate finance remains key to genuine global leadership. They note that $100 billion per year is needed in Africa for climate adaptation alone, a figure that has not been met by existing commitments.
Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) Senior Policy Analyst Nnaemeka Oruh welcomed the greater ambition but cast doubt on how a future U.S. administration would follow through.
“The news of the U.S’ updated NDCs comes at a critical time as it will rally other countries to commit to more ambitious NDCs. This is important as it shows that, despite changes in government, big economies can always leverage subnational actions to push for ambitious climate targets.
The world will now watch to see how ambitious commitments are translated into action in the coming years under a Trump government.”
Many African representatives also challenge what they see as a selective approach by the U.S. on fossil fuels. The U.S. continues to finance oil and gas projects domestically and abroad, which African activists say undercuts any meaningful step toward climate goals.
They point to ongoing debates over pipeline expansions in parts of Africa, an issue that divides the continent. Some leaders see such projects as a path to economic growth, while others insist that renewable energy offers a more sustainable and equitable way forward.
AFRICED’s Nana has called for the U.S. to cease financing new fossil fuel projects in Africa and focus instead on clean energy initiatives that benefit local communities.
On the question of securing minerals like cobalt, lithium, and nickel for the U.S. energy transition, African community organizers have raised the alarm about harmful mining practices. They want the U.S. to ensure ethical sourcing that prioritizes environmental integrity, fair labor, and local development.
Civil society groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo have documented cases of exploitative labor conditions at mine sites, pointing to child labor and forced displacement. They say the U.S. must step up oversight and collaborate with local authorities to ensure that African resources support a just transition.
During a White House press call about the new pledge, U.S. officials argued that the updated NDC promotes significant emissions reductions and stimulates private sector innovation in clean technologies.
They acknowledged that federal leadership could wax and wane depending on changing administrations.
However, they stated the role of state and local governments, tribal nations, and the private sector in driving down emissions. The modeling further indicated that state-level measures alone could produce emissions cuts in the range of 54–62% by 2035.
Sani Ayouba, Executive Director of Young Volunteers for the Environment(JVE) Niger, expressed skepticism about the reliability of these subnational commitments without robust federal coordination. “The United States can and must do better by further raising its ambition for the NDC but above all by supporting climate finance in the name of climate justice and international solidarity as a country that has contributed more to this climate crisis.”
Loss and damage reparations remain another contentious topic. African governments and communities want dedicated funding to compensate for irreversible climate impacts. Yet the U.S.NDC does not include a clear plan for contributing to a global loss and damage fund.
Experts in Africa see this omission as a major shortcoming, given the rising toll of climate-induced disasters on the continent.
Amid these criticisms, some African leaders praise the U.S. commitment to new technology, job creation, and potential subnational alliances. They believe local governments in the U.S. could foster partnerships with African states on clean energy projects and research ventures.
Yet many demand that these relationships move beyond rhetoric toward concrete financial support and policy changes.
