The Paris Agreement’s main goal is to keep the increase in the global average temperatures to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels while aiming to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. 

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty adopted by 196 Parties that entered into force on 4 November 2016. 

Each country has an overall plan for meeting their Paris Agreement commitments known as their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The NDCs include plans to reduce emissions and adapt to, and mitigate, the impacts of climate change. They are submitted to the UNFCCC every 5 years.

See also: 
> More information on NDCs
> See your country’s NDC

The Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) is an essential part of the Paris Agreement as it allows countries to monitor their progress in meeting their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) commitments.

The ETF requires signatory countries to prepare a report, called the Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) with information on:

• Greenhouse gas emissions and removals;
• Progress made in implementing their NDC commitments;
• Climate change impacts and adaptation; and
• Funding they have provided, received or still require to meet their goals. 

There is some flexibility which respects countries’ different capacities; and some information is optional rather than obligatory.

See also: 
 > Enhanced transparency framework (ETF) – An overview
 > Reference Manual for the Enhanced Transparency Framework under the Paris Agreement

All signatory countries need to submit the information that they have been monitoring and tracking through the Enhanced Transparency Framework as a  Biennial Transparency Report (BTR).

The report covers:

• Greenhouse gas emissions and removals;
• Progress made in implementing their NDC commitments;
• Climate change impacts and adaptation; and
• Funding they have provided, received or still require to meet their goals.  

There is some flexibility in reporting requirements which respects countries’ different capacities; and some information is optional rather than obligatory. 
Starting from December 2024, countries will need to submit BTRs to the UNFCCC every two years. 

See also: 
> Biennial Transparency Report Guidance and Roadmap Tool
> Table of BTRs submitted by countries

The modalities, procedures, and guidelines (MPGs) are the rules and requirements which guide countries in implementing the Enhanced Transparency Framework of the Paris Agreement.

They outline:

• What information countries must report;
• In what format the information must be provided; and
• The process for reviewing this information.

> More information

Measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) are the processes by which information is measured, compiled, reported on and then verified by a third party. In the context of the ETF, they focus on:

• Greenhouse gas emissions;
• Mitigation activities and policies; and
• Support received such as funding and capacity building

See also: 
> Handbook on institutional arrangements to support MRV/transparency of climate action and Support