The Paris Agreement, which aims to limit temperature rise as the result of climate change, requires countries to prepare national climate plans — known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs) — and raise their ambition over time. Transparency is critical to the success of the Paris Agreement, which is why it also sets out an enhanced transparency framework for countries so that they can effectively implement their NDCs.

However, many countries struggle to measure, report on and verify progress toward their climate plans. These challenges stem from data gaps, inconsistent methodologies and institutional capacity constraints.Without the ability to transparently assess whether NDCs are delivering greener, more resilient and equitable growth, countries will face challenges in building trust and ensuring the benefits of the climate transition are effectively delivered.

The Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) was founded to strengthen countries’ capacity to transparently measure the impacts of their climate actions. ICAT also helps countries enhance climate action through credible data and analysis. 

ICAT helps countries develop the capacity to transparently assess how climate policies and actions contribute to their broader development objectives. It also provides appropriate methodological information and tools to support evidence-based policymaking. ICAT integrates guidance, capacity-building and knowledge-sharing to engage countries through a common framework, strengthening the transparency and effectiveness of climate policies and actions.

By addressing key gaps in the availability and quality of data, the platform enables countries to promote efficient and cost-effective policies. Fulfilling the requirements of the enhanced transparency framework also helps foster mutual trust and confidence in the effective implementation of countries’ NDCs.

In collaboration with technical experts from around the world, WRI helped develop an integrated suite of globally applicable assessment guides for countries. These include:

  • A Just Transitions Monitoring Guide, which provides comprehensive information on monitoring the justice-related aspects of a transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. This work draws on WRI’s experience supporting countries such as South Africa, Nigeria and Brazil in developing just transition frameworks.
  • A guide for measuring the sustainable development effects and transformational change impacts of climate policies and actions.
  • A guide for assessing the potential greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction impacts of cities, states, businesses and other non-state and subnational actors.
  • A guide to scale ambition and create transformational change.

These guides build on existing in-country measurement and assessment approaches and are designed to be compatible with countries’ reporting commitments. They accommodate different needs and national circumstances to ensure they are widely applicable and broadly supported.

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