Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) on Climate Change
About the ETF
The primary objective of the Paris Agreement is to limit the rise in global temperatures to significantly less than 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels. Signatory countries outline their strategies for achieving this target through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
A central component of the Paris Agreement is the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF), which ensures accurate measurement, clear reporting, and expert review of progress toward climate goals. This framework fosters trust and confidence by demonstrating that all countries are making fair contributions to mitigating global warming. Additionally, transparency is vital for unlocking climate finance by providing donors with reliable information on achievements and areas where further support is needed.
The Modalities, Procedures, and Guidelines (MPGs) underpinning the transparency framework help countries fulfil their reporting obligations. They provide a standardized approach for tracking and reporting greenhouse gas emissions and progress toward climate mitigation and adaptation goals outlined in NDCs. Countries must also monitor the effectiveness of implemented measures and document the financial, technical, and capacity-building support they have mobilized, received, or still require.
Under the ETF, countries are required to submit Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) starting in December 2024 and every two years thereafter to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)*. These reports provide evidence-based updates on progress, ensuring accountability and visibility in global climate action. By regularly reporting, countries enhance transparency, demonstrating their commitment to curbing global warming.
*There is some flexibility in reporting which respects countries’ different capacities; and some information is optional rather than obligatory. For more information see Figure 9 (page 33) of the ETF Reference Manual.
Worldwide, the Agriculture and Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sectors represent around a quarter of total net GHG emissions. Even though the sectors are largely cited in the NDC of developing countries, in very few cases sectorial targets have been identified and clear activities and policies described as mitigation options.
A review of the national GHG inventories included in the Biennial Update Reports (BUR) and National Communications (NC) to the UNFCCC shows that these sectors are less reported compared to the others.
The main reasons are: 1) lack of data - management- rather than production-focused -, scattered across institutions and disconnected from universities/research institutes; 2) technical challenges in applying 2006 IPCC Guidelines, for LULUCF; and 3) poor institutional arrangements and low awareness among relevant ministries.
Climate finance for agriculture has also declined, with a FAO report showing that climate-related development finance for agrifood systems dropped to $19 billion in 2021, marking a 12 percent decrease from 2020. Additionally, the 2023 FAO State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report highlights that between 691 and 783 million people faced hunger in 2022, an increase of over 122 million since 2019, underscoring the urgent need for action in the agriculture sector.