UN Climate Change has released three reports ahead of the 30th United National Climate Change (COP 30) conference, which commenced this week. The reports show that the Paris Agreement is working but faster action and progress is needed.
The Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) Synthesis report is the firs of its kind and shows countries starting to implement the Paris Agreement with practical real-world actions, across economies and societies.
The report is based on the first BTR reports from 109 countries and provides an initial picture of countries’ varied progress on the bases of reporting until 2022.
It shows that countries are implementing climate actions in a systemic way, through stronger policies, new institutions and whole-of-society approaches. However, the report also highlights factors that are holding back further progress.
There is a persistent shortfall in finance and technology support for developing nations. More and higher quality finance needs to flow where its needed.
The findings from this first Synthesis report suggest that future reports will show stronger progress with countries strengthening their transparency system and receiving more targeted capacity building support.
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said: “This report – along with our recent reports on Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans – all point in the same direction: the Paris Agreement is working, driving climate actions across economies and societies.”
“But the pace of change does not yet meet the urgency of this moment, as climate disasters hit every nation harder each year, with colossal human and economic costs.”
The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Synthesis report shows clear progress in reducing emissions in countries’ national climate plans.
Countries are increasingly taking a whole-of-economy, whole-of-society approach, with 89 per cent containing economy-wide targets.
Climate plans are broadly consistent with a linear trajectory from 2030 targets to long-term zero targets. Global emissions are set to fall by around 10 per cent by 2035.
The National Adaptation Plans (NAP) Progress report also highlights the progress being made for more climate-resilient economies and societies.
Governments around the world are building the foundations for more climate-resilient economies, and almost all developing countries are working on their adaptation plans.
Countries are putting in place coordination mechanisms and monitoring systems, with specialised plans in every key sector.