UN Climate Change News, 1 March 2024 – During COP 28 in Dubai, 27 countries showcased their climate actions and achievements, underscoring the importance of transparency in tackling the climate crisis. From ambitious renewable energy targets to ground-breaking initiatives in agriculture and forestry, nations unveiled concrete measures and successes accomplished in different sectors.

“Transparency transcends mere data and reporting,” said Donald Cooper, Director of the Transparency Division at UN Climate Change. “It is about understanding our emissions, recognizing our progress towards our collective climate goals. It enables nations to shape policies, set effective targets, and garner the necessary support for escalating climate action”.

Climate mitigation actions by developing countries

The Facilitative Sharing of Views (FSV) session heard strong commitments from 14 developing nations, with compelling climate actions undertaken in various sectors.

The energy sector stands out, with ambitious targets: Albania aims for 42.5% of its energy to stem from renewable sources by 2030; Israel contemplates a coal phase-out by 2026; Lebanon is committed to 30% renewable energy by 2030; Pakistan is focusing efforts on energy efficiency; and Trinidad and Tobago is committed to a 30% reduction in public transportation emissions by 2030 compared to 2013 levels.

Another prominent sector is Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use. Colombia highlighted greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions in the production of cocoa: 10,000 hectares (ha) of cocoa cultivation areas were renovated and 44,000 ha were established as agroforestry systems in 2019. Uruguay is aiming for a 28% reduction in methane intensity from beef production by 2025, while Malawi reported planting more than 50 million trees annually since 2011. Eritrea is aspiring to convert 35,000 ha of land into forest by 2030, and Honduras committed to afforest or reforest one million ha by 2030.

Net carbon sink countries showcased solid efforts, with Burundi having increased forest cover to 17.4%, Suriname pledging to maintain its 93% forest cover, Papua New Guinea addressing forest degradation, and Vanuatu focusing on converting livestock pastures to silvopastoral systems.

Progress by developed countries

The 13 Parties that participated in the Multilateral Assessment (MA) session demonstrated achieving their 2020 quantified economy-wide emission reduction targets.

The European Union and its member States presented their new targets under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the Effort Sharing Regulation (formerly known as the Effort Sharing Decision). The latter establishes a national target per Member State for the reduction of GHG emissions by 2030 for sectors not covered by the ETS. The EU also committed to a plan and strategy for long-term climate neutrality by 2050.

The United States showcased its Inflation Reduction Act, which includes a 270 billion USD investment plan in climate action, clean energy and environmental justice. Moreover, the United States aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The United Kingdom presented its “Powering Up Britain” plan, which sets out how the government will strengthen energy security and deliver on net zero commitments, aspiring to reach net zero GHG emissions by 2050.

Charting the course toward global accountability

As part of their national climate plans (also known as ‘nationally determined contributions’), Parties highlighted developments in implementing climate policies to address targets beyond 2020.

During the FSV and the MA sessions, Parties shared their progress towards implementing the enhanced transparency framework (ETF) under the Paris Agreement.

Encouraging all Parties to be actively engaged in the ETF, Nabeel Munir, chair of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation, stressed that “the timely submission of the Biennial Transparency Reports is crucial for a global comprehensive understanding of our collective efforts in addressing climate change.”

For developing countries, the FSV was an opportunity to inform the international community of their needs and support required for transitioning to the ETF. For developed countries, this was the last cycle of the MA and the chance to present their ambition in setting the post-2020 targets for transition to the ETF.