COP29 Unveils Transparency Declaration for Climate Action
Global Forum Highlights Transparency at COP29
COP29 Pushes for Climate Transparency with New Declaration
BY SHEKWOPEYELO
Last week, the High-Level Forum on Global Climate Transparency took place in New York City, coinciding with the UN General Assembly. The event aimed to raise awareness of the importance of submitting Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) by year’s end. Additionally, it announced the COP29 Transparency Declaration, highlighting the role of transparency in monitoring global climate progress.
Organised by the incoming COP29 Presidency in collaboration with UN Climate Change and international partners, the forum called on all Parties to the Paris Agreement to meet the 31 December 2024 deadline for BTR submissions. These reports are vital as they provide data to inform climate policy, attract funding, and assess progress toward holding global warming below 1.5°C.
BTRs are designed to offer a comprehensive view of each country’s climate actions, support, and progress toward climate commitments. This data will help governments and international bodies assess whether global efforts are sufficient to meet climate targets.
Speakers at the forum emphasized the significance of transparency in building trust and facilitating evidence-based decision-making. Moreover, they discussed the benefits of BTRs in identifying financial needs and opportunities, enabling countries to adopt stronger climate policies.
However, several countries face challenges in meeting the BTR submission deadline. Key obstacles include limited institutional capacity, difficulties with data management, and unfamiliarity with new reporting tools. In response, the forum introduced support measures, such as the Baku Global Climate Transparency Platform (BTP), which aims to simplify the process and offer training.
COP29 President Designate Mukhtar Babayev stressed the importance of this year’s reporting cycle, noting, “Parties will submit their first-ever BTRs, enabling us to track progress and identify gaps. We expect over 100 countries to meet this milestone, marking a significant step forward.”
Babayev urged countries facing difficulties to take advantage of workshops and capacity-building initiatives. He also announced that the Transparency Declaration would be a key feature at COP29, ensuring continued commitment to transparency.
The forum concluded with remarks from UN Climate Change Senior Director, Daniele Violetti, who encouraged nations to view BTR submission as an opportunity to accelerate climate action: “Embracing transparency is crucial for the ambitious climate action needed to protect our planet.”
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