The CBIT-AFOLU+ project kicks off

Transparency experts from FAO, the UNFCCC, UNEP-CCC and other agencies met in Rome and online to provide guidance in planning the first year of the Global capacity building towards enhanced transparency (CBIT-AFOLU+)  project. The project  is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It was launched in June 2024 and will run until June 2027.

The workshop aimed at establishing the Project Steering Committee (PSC), discussing past and future activities, and endorsing the annual work plan and budget. Highlights and successes from the previous phase were also presented.

About CBIT-AFOLU+ (2024 -2027)

The project’s overall aim is to enhance countries’ capacity to meet the reporting requirements of the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) of the Paris Agreement. Building on the successes of the previous phase of the project, it will focus in providing technical guidance in setting up more sustainable institutional arrangements; apply capacity building techniques that were most effective at the country level; and continue to produce and refine innovative content and tools.

CBT-AFOLU+ will expand its scope to cover all sectors and adaptation. Its three components focus on:

• strengthening institutional arrangements;
• addressing reporting requirements; and
• raising awareness and engagement among institutions and relevant stakeholders including representatives from academia and the private sector, young people and women.

CBIT-AFOLU+ activities so far

Although the project has only been operational for 5 months, a great deal has already been accomplished. Technical capacity building activities, with CBIT-AFOLU+ participation, have taken place in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, the Philippines, Senegal and Sri Lanka. Activities related to strengthening institutional arrangements have taken place in the Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia and Viet Nam.

Furthermore, CBIT-AFOLU+ actively participates in high level conferences such as COP 29 organizing the “Transparency for transforming the agrifood system” event in Baku and engaging in the “Climate Transparency in Agrifood​ System” regional event for agriculture negotiators in Bangkok.

For more information, see : https://www.fao.org/in-action/climate-change-transparency/news-and-events/events/en

The project’s transparency experts have been busy refining tools based on insights from their use in countries. These include:

• Transparency Readiness Navigator
• NDC Tracking Tool​
• E-learning course “Assessing uncertainties in the national GHG inventory: a focus on land use“ that was translated into Spanish.

A focus on building capacity at the country level

The PSC emphasized that countries should aim at submitting their biennial transparency reports (BTRs) even if they still need improvement. The BTRs’ quality will improve over time and initial reports will be useful benchmarks. Countries can seek help from FAO as well as UNEP-CCC and other institutions which offer support with capacity building and quality assessments.

In line with PSC recommendations, CBIT-AFOLU+ focuses more than ever on building transparency capacity at the country level. Examples of support include:

• Online one-to-one mentoring on technical issues​​
• Troubleshooting for the GHG inventory and BTR preparation​
• Regional exchange among peers and technical training
• Fostering multi-stakeholder engagement with ministries and non-state actors
  
  

Countries can express their interest in receiving support by writing to: [email protected]