With the submission of their first Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) by 31 December 2024, Parties to the Paris Agreement have implemented a core component of the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF). These reports, submitted by both developed and developing countries, provide comprehensive information on greenhouse gas emissions, climate action, and support, in line with the Modalities, Procedures, and Guidelines (MPGs). This information is essential for guiding national and global climate action and enhancing ambition under the Paris Agreement.
The application of the MPGs was new for all countries, and many faced significant challenges in collecting and reporting the required data. Despite flexibility provisions for developing countries, the new requirements exceeded previous reporting standards, and capacity gaps remain substantial, particularly for nations still developing national transparency systems. Sharing experiences from the first BTRs is therefore crucial to improve both the reporting process and the quality of data for future submissions.
At the 12th Annual Partnership Retreat (APR) hosted by the Partnership on Transparency in the Paris Agreement (PATPA), around 80 participants from 37 countries exchanged lessons learned from BTR1 submissions. Discussions covered technical challenges, preparation for the Technical Expert Review (TER), the Facilitative Multilateral Consideration of Progress (FMCP), and linkages with other Paris Agreement processes, such as the preparation of new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the second Global Stocktake (GST). Participants explored how experiences from the first BTR could inform improvements in the preparation of the next round of reports and in potential revisions to the MPGs.
The preparation of BTR1 highlighted several achievements, including stronger institutional arrangements, better collaboration across government agencies, involvement of new data providers, and the development of national technical working groups. Countries transitioned from ad hoc processes to more structured approaches, standardized methodologies, and electronic reporting, which facilitated timely submissions despite tight deadlines. Many developing countries published comprehensive National Inventory Documents (NIDs) for the first time and adopted higher methodological tiers for estimating greenhouse gas emissions and removals, reflecting improved data quality and reporting capacity.
Despite these achievements, countries faced challenges such as data gaps, methodological difficulties, unclear wording in the MPGs, time constraints, and limited capacity for data collection. Participants suggested measures to address these issues for BTR2, including early preparation, improved planning and timelines, strengthened institutional arrangements, better coordination across sectors, enhanced funding, and capacity building. Emphasis was also placed on including additional data sources, improving GHG inventory methods, and engaging stakeholders such as the private sector, youth, and indigenous peoples.
Participants highlighted areas for content improvement, including better linking mitigation, adaptation, and support in the BTR chapters, more detailed reporting on national circumstances, NDC implementation, climate impacts, adaptation actions, Loss and Damage, and Financial, Technology, and Capacity (FTC) support. They also stressed the importance of clearer guidance for indicators, projections, and methodologies, as well as ensuring alignment between BTRs and NDCs to strengthen national planning and implementation.
The Technical Expert Review (TER) and the Facilitative Multilateral Consideration of Progress (FMCP) were recognized as key mechanisms to improve BTR quality. Recommendations included providing clearer guidance for reviewers, reducing duplication, allowing multiple languages, streamlining review timelines, and enhancing the relevance and political impact of the FMCP. These processes help countries learn from best practices, share lessons, and improve national transparency systems.
BTRs also play a critical role in linking national reporting to global processes. They provide essential information for the preparation of new NDCs, tracking progress on existing NDCs, and informing the Global Stocktake (GST). Recommendations included improving adaptation reporting, reporting on finance and support flows, aligning projections with national inventories, and enhancing reporting on negative emissions to reflect long-term climate goals.
Looking ahead, participants emphasized the need for continuous improvement and a possible revision of the MPGs by 2028. Key areas identified include national GHG inventories, NDC tracking, climate impacts, adaptation, FTC support, TER and FMCP processes. Suggestions focused on clarifying institutional arrangements, enhancing data collection, refining methodologies, simplifying reporting tools, and better integrating processes across national and global levels.
Overall, the first BTRs represent a significant achievement in transparency under the Paris Agreement, providing critical information on climate action and support. Lessons learned from the BTR1 process offer valuable opportunities to improve the next cycle, strengthen national systems, and enhance the collective contribution of countries towards the goals of the Paris Agreement.
