FAO.org

At the heart of the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, was a critical mission: ensuring the full realization of the Paris Agreement amid an escalating climate crisis. COP27 was a call to action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, a threshold crucial for avoiding the most catastrophic impacts of climate change. 

The launch of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) #Together4Transparency initiative at COP27 symbolized a stride toward enhancing climate transparency and accountability, pivotal for the success of the Paris Agreement. This initiative gathered an array of global stakeholders — from governments to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) — in a series of events aimed at exchanging knowledge and advancing climate transparency. 

The #Together4Transparency initiative's momentum persisted into COP28, reflecting a sustained commitment to fortifying climate action transparency. The initiative, engaged stakeholders through over 50 events that spanned roundtables and training sessions, spotlighting the necessity of transparent, accurate and consistent data for policymaking. 

Capacity development, including technical support for developing countries, continued to be a focus, ensuring that all nations can contribute to the global stocktake process and overall climate action efforts. The #Together4Transparency initiative has become a platform for sharing best practices and lessons learned 

The launch of the project "Building global capacity to increase transparency in the forest sector”supported by theGlobal EnvironmentFacility (GEF), the aims to bolster the capacity of countries in effectively and transparently monitoring and reporting forest data.  

By directly benefiting at least 20 countries and indirectly aiding 236 territories involved in the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment network, the project emphasizes the significance of transparent forest data as a fundamental component of effective climate action and sustainable forest management.  

As the UNFCCC COP 29 approaches in November 2024, its alignment with the International Day of Forests earlier that year is particularly resonant. The Day's 2024 theme, "Forests and Innovation," emphasizes the pivotal role of technology and innovation in transformed countries’ ability to monitor and report on their forests. Yet, as deforestation persists and forest fires remain prevalent, there's a pressing need for further innovative technical solutions. These innovations not only safeguard forests but also empower Indigenous Peoples in land stewardship, contribute to ecosystem restoration and climate mitigation efforts. Innovations extend to forest products as well, revolutionizing industries and offering sustainable alternatives to conventional materials. 

The UNFCCC COP29 is set for November 2024, and key discussions will center on the enhanced transparency framework, among various pivotal agenda items. As nations stride forward with their nationally determined contributions, the importance of transparent, accessible and technologically advanced forest data has never been more pronounced.