Assessing state compliance with multilateral climate transparency requirements: ‘Transparency Adherence Indices’ and their research and policy implications

Transparency is increasingly central to multilateral climate governance. In this article, we undertake one of the first systematic assessments nature and extent compliance with transparency requirements under United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Extensive resources are now being devoted setting up national international systems that aim render visible what individual countries doing regard change. It widely assumed such vital securing accountability, trust thereby also enhanced actions from all. Yet, whether lives transformative promise remains largely unexamined. We generate a overview here country engagement adherence UNFCCC requirements. Drawing extensive primary documents, including reports technical expert these reports, ‘Transparency Adherence Indices’ for developed developing Parties UNFCCC. Our results reveal wide variations in mandatory reporting no clear general pattern improvement since 2014. Indices help illustrate trends highlight knowledge gaps around observed patterns. This timely 2015 Paris Agreement calls an ‘enhanced framework’ be implemented by 2024 builds existing systems. conclude identifying research policy agenda explain patterns adherence, emphasize need continued scrutiny links between action.Key insights The its call ever greater all countries.We develop frequency both countries.Our findings high arrangements variable question actually signifies, given how assessed within reports.Further range important, light Agreement’s all.The link action needs further analysis.