Lessons learned from the first Biennial Transparency Reports: Experiences with the Modalities, Procedures and Guidelines under the Enhanced Transparency Framework
Parties to the Paris Agreement submitted their first Biennial Transparency Reports (BTR1) by 31 December 2024, marking a major milestone in the implementation of the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF). For the first time, these reports provide comprehensive information on greenhouse gas emissions, climate action, progress in implementing and achieving NDCs, adaptation and support – aligned with the Modalities, Procedures and Guidelines (MPGs).
To capture insights and experiences made with BTR1, the Partnership on Transparency in the Paris Agreement (PATPA) hosted its 12th Annual Partnership Retreat (APR) from 27 August to 2 September 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, bringing together around 80 transparency practitioners and negotiators from 37 countries.
What the report covers
The newly published report, “Lessons Learned from First Biennial Transparency Reports: Experiences with the Modalities, Procedures and Guidelines under the Enhanced Transparency Framework,” summarizes experiences and practical takeaways from the first BTR cycle, including:
- Experiences from BTR1 preparation and key success factors
- Emerging priorities for BTR2 preparation, due by December 2026
- Reflections on the Technical Expert Review (TER) and Facilitative, Multilateral Consideration of Progress (FMCP) processes
- Linkages between BTRs and NDC implementation as well as the Global Stocktake (GST)
- Key challenges and possible solutions across core reporting areas under the MPGs
Key messages
Across the Retreat, participants highlighted that the preparation and submission of BTR1 is an important collective achievement, and that BTRs are a key source of information not only for national processes, but also for global processes such as the Global Stocktake. At the same time, the report emphasizes the need to maintain momentum, strengthen national transparency systems, and use the lessons learned to improve both the process and content of the next reporting cycle.
Looking ahead
With the next reporting deadline approaching (December 2026) and continued discussions anticipated around a possible review of the MPGs by no later than 2028, the report offers timely reflections on how Parties can strengthen transparency frameworks, improve efficiency, and enhance the usefulness of reporting for implementation and ambition.
The report can serve as a basis for further discussions about a possible review of the MPGs, both - in-country and globally. PATPA will continue to support this dialogue in the future ensuring that reporting under the ETF develops over time.
Download the report here.
More information on the APR: Annual Partnership Retreat 2025.