This report has been prepared in response to the request from CMA 1 for the secretariat to produce synthesis reports on Parties’ BTRs and NIRs (decision 18/CMA.1, para. 6(a)).  

This synthesis of the BTR1s submitted by Parties is the first report of the secretariat that provides an initial picture of Parties’ progress in implementing the Paris Agreement and identifies areas in which additional efforts are needed to meet its goals. The report offers an insight into the diverse national approaches to implementation countries are adopting, including enablers that have driven progress and successes that can be built on, but also barriers yet to be overcome.

Transparency is at the core of the Paris Agreement and the ETF helps Parties build a strong evidence base to support climate-related policymaking and identify investment needs and opportunities. In its role in tracking progress in implementing and achieving NDCs, the ETF also promotes their effective implementation and fosters accountability and trust among Parties. Together with the NDCs and the global stocktake, the ETF forms the foundation for enhancing global ambition in climate action and support under the Paris Agreement over time.

The submission of more than 100 BTR1s is a milestone in ETF implementation. BTRs underpin the enhanced global approach to reporting on GHG emission trends and projections, mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage and support provided, needed and received. Some countries also chose to include in their BTRs information on broader aspects of climate action, such as just transition, gender and youth considerations, and the involvement of non-Party stakeholders. It is hoped that the information presented in this BTR synthesis report will inform relevant processes and workstreams under the Convention and the Paris Agreement.

This report synthesizes information from the 101 BTR1s and other components of BTR submissions (i.e. NID, CRTs and CTF tables) submitted by Parties as at 15 April 2025.  The submissions include information and data up until 2022 and together represent some 75 per cent of total global GHG emissions in 2020. The number of Parties that had submitted, as at 15 April 2025, at least one component considered in the synthesis is 109. By that date, 82, 98, 84 and 66 Parties respectively submitted NID, CRTs, CTFs for NDC information, and CTFs for financial, technology development and transfer, and capacity-building support information. The set of Parties covered in each chapter varied because the reporting requirements and the specific information provided differed across the thematic areas.

The report provides a comprehensive overview of the information reported by Parties in their BTR1s. Its structure aligns closely with the outline of BTRs, per Annex IV to decision 5/CMA.3. The synthesized information is presented for all the represented Parties taken together.

All Parties that submitted their BTR1s have taken steps to implement their NDCs, and many of them, guided by the goals of the Paris Agreement, are on their way to net zero and climate-resilient futures. Fifty Parties, accounting for 58.6 per cent of global GHG emissions, have made initial progress in achieving their 2030 NDC targets. Although several Parties may need to accelerate their actions or make additional efforts to keep their 2025 or 2030 targets within reach, the reported information covers only the beginning of the NDC implementation period, so those Parties have some time for ‘course correction’ before its end.

In accordance with the MPGs, in their BTR1s, Parties generally reported comprehensive information on progress in implementing and achieving their NDC targets, of which there is a wide range of types, and on quantitative and qualitative indicators used to track progress. The assessment of progress provided in this subchapter covers 79 Parties, which together represent approximately 75 per cent of global GHG emissions in 2020.

Climate policies that align with the goals of the Paris Agreement are key to ensuring progress towards achievement of NDC targets and enabling transition to low-emission development. Parties reported on almost 5,000 policies and measures (PaMs) and actions, covering all gases and sectors, that they have planned, adopted or implemented to meet their NDC targets. The majority of the reported PaMs were implemented after 2020 and 25 per cent of those PaMs are recently adopted or planned – put in place to enhance mitigation efforts towards meeting the targets set out in Parties’ NDCs and, in turn, the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Policies and measures reported as planned, adopted or implemented

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While the energy sector remains the mainstay of countries’ portfolios of mitigation PaMs, several Parties have increased their mitigation efforts in the IPPU, agriculture, LULUCF and waste sectors, including by implementing policies with higher abatement costs than those previously implemented.

Planned and implemented policies and measures reported, by sector

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Note: PaMs reported with multiple sectors are counted under each sector.

Most reported PaMs target the energy sector, prioritizing the transition to cleaner sources through electrification of transport, industry and building heating, increasing renewable energy's share in the energy mix, phasing out unabated coal, upgrading electricity grids, introducing carbon and energy taxation, and promoting a modal shift in transport, the use of electric vehicles and emission performance standards for new passenger cars and vans. Many Parties are planning or undergoing a transformation of their energy systems, primarily by electrifying end-uses and modernizing power grids to integrate more renewable energy.

Policies and measures relevant to energy transformation reported

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Note: Coal ban or phaseout does not include Parties that have already ceased using coal and therefore do not have PaMs related to it.

Energy efficiency is a central policy pillar for most Parties, particularly targeting industry decarbonization and improving building performance.

Mitigation momentum extends beyond the energy sector, with measures targeting HFC reduction from refrigerants, CO₂ from cement and steel production, and CH₄ reduction in the agriculture and LULUCF sectors through improved livestock feed, soil management, reforestation, and anti-deforestation efforts.

The BTR1s of some developing country Parties contain limited data on trends in GHG emissions, stemming from their lack of data and capacity to compile comprehensive GHG inventories. The information on GHG trends presented in the report is based on submissions from 105 Parties. Because quantitative data were not available for all Parties for the entire time series, data are presented for 81 Parties, representing 63 per cent of global emissions in 2021, and only for 2005, 2020 and 2021. For this group of 81 Parties, total aggregate GHG emissions without LULUCF increased by 15.6 per cent between 2005 and 2021, rising from 31.68 to 36.61 Gt CO₂ eq. This growth was driven by factors such as increased economic activity following the Covid-19 pandemic, population growth, and expansion of industrial and agricultural activities.

Total greenhouse gas emissions in 2005, 2020 and 2021 for 81 Parties

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Note: The totals presented in this figure refer to 81 Parties that reported information for 2005, 2020 and 2021 and represent a large share of total emissions in those years.

Emissions for 105 Parties increased by 4.0 per cent (without LULUCF) between 2020 and 2021, primarily due to post-pandemic surge in economic activity driven largely by domestic transport and power generation.

Total greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 and 2021 for 105 Parties

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Note: The totals presented in this figure refer to 105 Parties that reported information for both 2020 and 2021.

The energy sector remained the single largest contributor to total GHG emissions in all reported years (2005, 2020, and 2021), experiencing the largest absolute increase in emissions by 3.0 Gt CO₂ eq (or 12.3 per cent) between 2005 and 2021. While the agriculture sector was the second largest source in 2005 and 2020, emissions from the Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU) sector surpassed agriculture in 2021, largely due to increased industrial activity following the pandemic. The IPPU sector saw the largest relative increase between 2005 and 2021, rising by 50.8 per cent. Net removals from LULUCF showed a significant increase of 63.4 per cent over 2005–2021 (from 1.87 to 3.05 Gt CO₂ eq), primarily due to reduced land clearing and the implementation of deforestation control plans. However, the net removals decreased by 9.2 per cent between 2020 and 2021 due to factors like soil carbon decay and the ageing of forests.

Total greenhouse gas emissions in 2005, 2020 and 2021 for 81 Parties, by sector

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The BTR1s also provide limited data on GHG projections to 2030 and 2035. Only 53 Parties, including the EU and 23 of its member States, reported GHG projections, representing 31.7 per cent of total GHG emissions in 2020, and several developing country Parties chose to apply flexibility to reporting projections owing to capacity constraints.

The synthesis of GHG projections for 2030, which is based on submissions from 30 Parties and includes the projections reported by the EU that represents its member States, indicates that current and planned mitigation actions are projected to lead to a decrease in aggregate emissions. Parties reported GHG projections under two main scenarios: 'with measures' (WM) and 'with additional measures' (WAM).

Under the WM scenario, which includes the effect of adopted and implemented PaMs, aggregate GHG emissions (excluding LULUCF) are expected to be 8.0 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030. This projected GHG emissions are further reduced to 11.5 per cent below the 2020 level in 2030 under the adjusted WAM scenario, which includes planned PaMs in addition to adopted and implemented ones. Thus, the implementation of planned PaMs under the WAM scenario is estimated to result in an additional GHG emission reduction of 565.1 Mt CO2eq in 2030 beyond the reductions achieved under the WM scenario.

Historical and projected greenhouse gas emissions of Parties, without land use, land-use change and forestry, under the ‘with measures’ and ‘with additional measures’ scenarios

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Note: An adjusted WAM scenario was used for the analysis.

The energy sector (excluding transport) is projected to achieve the largest reduction in emissions by 2030 under the WM scenario, with a decrease of 32.4 per cent compared to 2020 levels. The energy sector (including transport) is expected to remain the dominant source, contributing 76.4 per cent of total emissions without LULUCF in 2030. Despite overall reductions, projections under the WM scenario indicate that emissions from the IPPU, agriculture, and waste sectors are all projected to increase by 3.8, 1.0, and 0.4 per cent, respectively, compared to 2020 levels. Net removals from the LULUCF sector are expected to decrease by 6.9 per cent.

Historical and projected greenhouse gas emissions and removals of Parties under the ‘with measures’ scenario, by sector

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Adaptation has emerged as a key focus in the BTR1s, with approximately 90 per cent of submissions (91 BTR1s) containing an adaptation component, despite reporting not being mandatory. The reports show that both developed and developing countries are actively assessing climate change impacts, risks, and vulnerabilities, and are implementing adaptation strategies, including gender-responsive measures, to minimize these impacts. Collectively, the BTR1s demonstrate that Parties are advancing adaptation planning and action by explicitly contributing to the dimensional and thematic targets of the global goal on adaptation and integrating adaptation goals into national development policies and sectoral strategies.

The sectors most vulnerable to observed and potential climate change impacts were reported as being food security and nutrition, health, water resources, terrestrial ecosystems, and urban areas and settlements. The most common hazards include increased frequency and/or intensity of floods, droughts, temperature extremes, heavy precipitation events, tropical cyclones and extreme winds, as well as rising sea level and associated coastal flooding and erosion, followed by increased frequency and/or intensity of fires, ocean warming and acidification, and decreased snow, glacier and/or permafrost cover.

Climate change impacts on vulnerable sectors and areas reported

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Parties reported on integrating adaptation goals from National Adaptation Plans and NDCs into both national development policies and sectoral strategies. Water resources were identified as the highest priority area for domestic adaptation action. Food security and nutrition was the most frequently reported area for implemented adaptation action.

Links between implemented adaptation measures and the targets set out under the United Arab Emirates Framework for Global Climate Resilience, as implicitly and explicitly reported

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Adaptation action and planning consider equity, inclusivity, Indigenous Peoples’ and local community knowledge systems, and other cross-cutting elements. Nature-based solutions are increasingly recognized and prioritized as a national adaptation priority.

Almost all Parties highlighted having implemented or planned approaches and systems for monitoring and evaluation of adaptation action. These diverse monitoring and evaluation systems are consistently used to inform decision-making, improve efficiency, and demonstrate accountability in adaptation planning and action.

Although 70 Parties referenced loss and damage in their BTRs and 61 provided information, the extent and depth varied significantly, ranging from over 20 pages to a single page or less, with many referring readers to adaptation chapters or National Adaptation Plans instead of providing dedicated content. The reporting generally focused more on impacts and hazards than on implemented activities or institutional arrangements. The absence of standardized methodologies and reporting guidelines is preventing a standardized synthesis of the reported information. These initial efforts, despite their varied approaches, lay the foundation for enhanced future reporting.

Observed and potential climate change impacts reported by Parties are wide-ranging, affecting energy prices, energy demand, electricity availability, economic productivity, supply chains and logistics, tourism, infrastructure, public and private property, agriculture and livestock, food security, water availability, ecosystems and biodiversity, habitability, health and well-being, and mobility and displacement (including temporary displacement). While impacts broadly overlap, specific types of loss or damage are often not clearly explained, with economic loss being the most common category (34.1%), primarily impacting agriculture/livestock (34%) and infrastructure (22%). Loss of life relates to impacts on health and well-being (34 %), infrastructure (19 %), the agriculture and livestock sectors (13 %), and displacement (13 %). The leading hazards associated with reported economic loss are floods, droughts, and storm surges. Loss of agricultural production is mostly associated with droughts and floods. The reported activities undertaken to address loss and damage are most frequently in response to floods, droughts, and storms, with roughly 30% of activities tackling multiple hazards simultaneously.

Loss associated with climate change impacts reported, by type

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Hazards mentioned in association with activities reported, by type

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Parties reported more than 350 activities, actions, measures, systems, frameworks, policies, initiatives, and plans related to averting, minimizing, and addressing loss and damage in their BTRs. While only about 18% of these explicitly distinguished between averting, minimizing, or addressing loss and damage, the reported efforts generally fall into pre-emptive efforts (most frequent), contingency arrangements, and actions that address direct impacts (least reported). These activities include enhancing early warning systems; awareness-raising efforts; improving the climate resilience of infrastructure; and undertaking risk assessment, analysis and mapping (including for vulnerable and cultural heritage sites).

Activities related to averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage reported, by type

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The BTR1s show an increase in financial, technology, and capacity-building support provided and mobilized to developing countries for climate action during the 2021–2022 biennium. The reported annual average climate finance, primarily from developed country Parties, largely aligns with the recipient countries’ defined priorities, flowing mainly into energy and transport for mitigation and agriculture and food supply for adaptation, though a gap remains for multi-sectoral adaptation needs.

Financial support reported as provided and mobilized, and needed and received, by thematic area

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The total finance provided and mobilized by 37 Parties reached an annual average of USD 63.17 billion, with 98.9% coming from developed country Parties, and most of this support utilized grants and concessional instruments.

Thirty-five Parties reported detailed information on financial support provided through bilateral, regional and other channels in common tabular format, either as a separate file or within the text of the BTR. The support amounted to an annual average of USD 38.75 billion in 2021–2022 (USD 33.56 billion in 2021 and USD 42.48 billion in 2022).

Financial support reported as provided through bilateral, regional and other channels, multilateral channels and mobilized through public interventions in 2021–2022

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Total financial support provided through multilateral channels, including both climate-specific and core/general funding, was reported by 31 Parties and amounted to annual averages of USD 10.22 billion and USD 11.38 billion in 2021–2022, for climate-specific and core/general purposes, respectively.

Financial support reported as provided through multilateral channels in 2021–2022, by entity

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Thirty-seven developing country Parties reported needing a total of nearly USD 3.4 trillion for climate action (mostly pre-2030), compared to the USD 60.84 billion 49 developing country Parties reported receiving. Many developing countries are establishing systems for collecting and tracking information on financial support received and not all were yet able to report on financial support received, or needed, in the BTRs.

Parties reported 1,483 technology transfer activities focusing on adaptation (e.g. water and sanitation), and 1,678 capacity-building activities evenly spread across adaptation, mitigation, and cross-cutting themes.

Technology development and transfer support reported as provided, received or needed, by region

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Capacity-building support reported as received, by thematic area and region

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The BTR1s collectively highlight a strong commitment from Parties to adopt a whole-of-society approach to climate action, recognizing it as a collective effort that extends far beyond governmental responsibility. This holistic strategy involves actively engaging a wide array of non-Party stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society, and local communities, while also ensuring the integration of diverse perspectives, such as those of women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples, to make climate policy more inclusive, effective, and representative. This entire framework is designed to foster synergies between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by embedding climate policies directly into national development plans to maximize both socioeconomic co-benefits and a just transition.

Most Parties (about 73%) reported involving a broad spectrum of non-Party stakeholders including the private sector, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, academic and research institutions, local communities and international organizations, in preparing climate-related reports (e.g. BTRs) and policy development and implementation, utilizing methods like targeted stakeholder consultations, public discussions and initiatives, and multi-stakeholder councils and thematic working groups to ensure inclusive, representative and effective climate action.

Parties are actively working to integrate the unique needs and contributions of marginalized groups, with 71% explicitly considering gender in their climate actions and over half engaging and empowering youth. Parties with Indigenous populations show a recognition and integration of the traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples in national climate change policies and strategies.

Nearly all Parties (91%) explicitly link climate action with broader sustainable development goals—such as those related to clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, sustainable production and consumption, green growth, high quality of life and a socially inclusive transition—by embedding climate targets and resilience goals into their long-term national development plans.

The synthesis of 101 BTR1s indicates that Parties are actively working to establish robust domestic transparency arrangements—including legal frameworks, institutional coordination, and centralized data systems—to effectively meet the enhanced requirements of the Paris Agreement's Enhanced Transparency Framework. Despite these efforts, many developing countries face significant capacity constraints across institutional, technical, data quality, and human resource domains, necessitating the application of flexibility provisions to fulfill their reporting obligations.

Out of the 66 developing country Parties considered for this synthesis, 47 applied at least one of the 12 flexibility provisions outlined in the modalities, procedures and guidelines primarily due to technical constraints (e.g. reliance on lower-tier IPCC methodologies due to lack of country-specific data and insufficient domestic systems for tracking received finance), and Institutional constraints (e.g. weak inter-agency coordination and unclear data-sharing mandates).

Flexibilities applied by developing country Parties, by reporting requirement for which flexibility was applied

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Forty developing country Parties articulated clear capacity-building needs in the BTR and 25 outlined improvement plans for future reporting cycles. Parties mostly identified capacity-building needs for applying higher-tier IPCC methodologies, developing country-specific emission factors, using tracking and accounting tools for monitoring the implementation of NDCs and achievement of targets, creating robust monitoring and evaluation systems for adaptation actions, and establishing better systems for tracking financial and technological support.

Capacity constraints reported, by type of constraint

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