The unprecedented challenge of climate change requires rapid and deep transformations – in virtually all sectors and all parts of society – away from the prevailing carbon-intensive, high-emission modes of production and consumption. The urgency of policy action for a transition towards sustainable development and net zero global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions was underlined in the 2018 Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The Paris Agreement sets out an enhanced transparency framework for countries, to build mutual trust and confidence, and promote effective implementation. The Paris Agreement also requires countries to prepare nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and successively raise their ambition towards achieving the objectives of the Agreement. Transparency through evidence-based policy making can support effective implementation and accelerated climate action. In this context, the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) aims to help countries assess the impacts of their climate actions, and to support greater transparency, effectiveness, ambition and trust in climate policies. ICAT integrates methodological guidance, capacity-building and knowledge sharing to strengthen the transparency and effectiveness of climate policies and actions worldwide.

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