UN Climate Change News, 19 April 2024 - Guyana has become the second country, after Andorra, and the first Small Island Developing State to submit a Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) assessing progress under the Paris Agreement. Guyana's submission comes well ahead of the 31 December 2024 deadline, setting an example for other nations.
The enhanced transparency framework (ETF), established by the Paris Agreement for consistent tracking of countries' climate efforts, enters full implementation this year. As part of this, countries are expected to submit the first BTRs no later than December 2024, reporting on actions taken and progress made to achieve their national climate goals and pledges.
Information and data gathered through the BTRs will empower countries to make informed choices, set ambitious goals and plans in their nationally determined contributions (NDCs), and attract support for further action.
Donald Cooper, Director of Transparency at UN Climate Change, welcomed Guyana's initiative: "Guyana's BTR submission, the first from a Small Island Developing State, clearly demonstrates the willingness of nations to fulfill their climate reporting requirements. This year we expect all countries to come forward with their BTRs, which will showcase progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and help build trust and confidence that everyone is doing their part to limit global warming."
Guyana's BTR submission was complemented by voluntary information on efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, as well as to ensure the sustainable management of forests and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+). Furthermore, it includes an initial report outlining Guyana's potential participation in cooperative approaches with other countries under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Guyana will now enter the first round of technical expert reviews under the Paris Agreement. The review process will analyze progress made in implementing mitigation and adaptation policies, including through its NDC, and identify possible improvements and capacity-building needs in these and in other areas.
The process will culminate in the drafting of technical expert review reports and lead to Guyana's participation in an open and interactive dialogue - known as the facilitative multilateral consideration of progress - to share experiences and lessons learned in implementing the Paris Agreement.
The submission of BTRs constitutes a key priority for UN Climate Change in 2024, as it underscores countries' commitments to demonstrating progress on national climate goals. Transparent reporting is crucial to build trust and strengthen accountability, and to inform evidence-based climate policies and actions.
As nations prepare their BTRs, UN Climate Change encourages all countries to adhere to internationally agreed guidance by complying with the modalities, procedures and guidelines for the ETF. To support this effort, UN Climate Change offers technical assistance, capacity-building support, and practical hands-on training, including on the use of the new ETF reporting tools.
