Given a challenging political environment, the Paris Agreement (PA) is facing scrutiny about its effectiveness and impact. But it is indeed working as intended by reflecting back what the global community is doing to combat climate change and pointing the way forward as to what more needs to be done collectively. Given geopolitical and economic headwinds, it is critical to narrate the positive impact of the PA—starting with what Parties are accomplishing domestically.

This paper provides an overview of the enhanced transparency framework (ETF)—the PA’s reporting and review process. The ETF is designed to be non-intrusive and non-punitive, making it a good process to generate productive conversations among Parties to improve the implementation of their nationally determined contributions (NDCs), including through enhanced international cooperation to overcome emerging common challenges.

The discussion paper further explores: (i) how the efficacy of one of the components of the ETF, the facilitative, multilateral consideration of progress (FMCP), can be maximized to highlight challenges and trigger dialogue on how they might be overcome; and (ii) key issues and opportunities that could be taken forward by the Brazilian COP30 Presidency, Parties, and/or civil society organizations (CSOs).

Questions for consideration

• How can the FMCP be best used to help identify common challenges for implementation and capacity-building, in a manner that enhances international cooperation towards the achievement of NDCs?

• In what ways can Parties leverage the FMCP process to build a narrative that drives greater momentum on climate, and how can these opportunities be used to build mutual trust among Parties?

• How can Parties, the UNFCCC Secretariat, and civil society organizations elevate the potential positive role of the FMCP in the UNFCCC process?