Locations
Bonn, Germany. 11 May 2021 – Today, 14 global entities launched a renewed effort to increase data-driven climate action around the world. With the decisive UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK only six months away, the #Data4BetterClimateAction campaign aims to raise awareness about the inherent value of transparency in pursuing meaningful climate action and support.
Urging governments to reframe the way they think of “transparency”, the campaign highlights how enhanced transparency can support countries to address domestic development priorities while fulfilling their international climate commitments at the same time.
With only 57 countries – representing 60 percent of global emissions – on track to meet their commitments under the Paris Agreement by 2030, it becomes more apparent that current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are not delivering the climate action required to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
Transparency is also key to enhancing ambition. The #Data4BetterClimateAction campaign encourages governments to shine a light on emerging climate risks and the gaps between progress made and what is still needed. Policymakers can make informed long-term policy and investment decisions that deliver results faster, make better use of resources and pursue innovative solutions to close remaining gaps.
As we can only improve that which we measure, the #Data4BetterClimateAction campaign calls on all countries to set up, and provide support to, national transparency frameworks in line with the provisions of the Paris Agreement so that each country can deliver effective contributions and collectively, limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, while pursuing efforts to limit to a safer 1.5 degrees.
The #Data4BetterClimateAction campaign will be hosting a side-event at the Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week 2021. 14:00 - 14:50 (AST/GMT-4) | 12 May 2021. More information: https://unfccc.int/climate-action/regional-climate-weeks
ENDS
About the campaign
#Data4BetterClimateAction is a campaign led by a group of global climate initiatives calling attention to the value of climate transparency to not only fulfill reporting requirements but to also drive good policy at the national level by advancing sustainable development priorities.
Quotes
"All countries need credible data in order to keep tabs on our climate ambition commitments.
“We can only improve what we measure and in this critical year for climate action we need sound data and integrity in our actions.
“To do that we need all parties to improve their climate transparency so that together we can have a clear view of what we need to do to protect our planet for future generations.
"I am pleased to see the Data4BetterClimateAction campaign championing this cause on the road to COP26.”
Alok Sharma, COP26 President-Designate
“Transparency is the backbone of the Paris Agreement. By having sound data and information systems in place, countries across the world are able to better design, implement and track their NDCs or long-term strategies – this is good for the climate globally and for sustainable development at home.”
Dr. Henning Wuester, Director of the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT)
“Building national transparency systems to track and report on climate actions and impacts is crucial in our progress towards a climate resilient, low carbon future. With our push for increased transparency we wish to build trust and confidence, fostering greater accountability and strengthened climate ambitions."
Susanne Pedersen, Director of the UNEP DTU Partnership
“Climate change is a global emergency that is already having profound effects on people’s lives and on our planet’s biodiversity. Protecting forests is essential to curbing climate change, and we must act now to halt continuing dramatic levels of deforestation. Robust and transparent forest monitoring systems and data are crucial to understand where action is most needed, inform targeted investments and policies and help track progress towards the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.”
Ms Astrid Agostini, Coordinator of the REDD+/National Forest Monitoring Cluster at FAO Forestry Division
Partners
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Greenhouse Gas Management Institute (GHGMI)
Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT)
Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA)
Low Emission Development Strategies Global Partnership (LEDS GP)
Partnership on Transparency in the Paris Agreement (PATPA)
UK Government (COP26 President)
United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)