The upcoming COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan is set to see a renewed focus on transparency in climate action. The incoming COP Presidency has emphasised the importance of countries submitting their Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) well ahead of the conference.
These reports, which detail a country's greenhouse gas emissions, climate actions, and support needs, will be crucial for building a stronger evidence base to guide future climate ambition.
The June UN Climate Meetings prioritised the issue of support for developing countries in meeting their reporting obligations. Later this month, UN Climate Change is set to unveil a game-changer: new Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) reporting tools.
These tools will integrate tracking of greenhouse gas inventories, climate actions taken, and support received by countries. This holistic approach will provide a clearer picture of global progress on climate change.
Taking transparency a step further, UN Climate Change has partnered with Microsoft to develop a new Climate Data Hub.
This hub will transform the data collected through the new reporting tools into a user-friendly format, making it accessible to a wider audience.
This will allow policymakers, researchers, and the public to gain valuable insights into global climate action efforts.
Also, recognising the importance of skilled personnel, UN Climate Change has already trained over 1,100 experts from 150 countries, significantly boosting the capacity of practitioners involved in climate reporting across the globe.
This training initiative extends beyond national borders, encompassing experts from intergovernmental organisations as well.
Training sessions specifically designed for the new reporting tools will be held in Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean regions before COP29.
Additionally, training will be offered at COP29 itself, ensuring widespread knowledge and efficient implementation of these new tools.
By prioritising transparency through enhanced reporting tools, targeted support for developing countries, and innovative data visualisation platforms, the upcoming COP29 is hoped to be a milestone in the collective fight against climate change
