COP30: 100 Nations Submit Climate Reports for the First Time

The submission of more than 100 biennial transparency reports (BTRs) ahead of the COP30 summit in Brazil marks a significant milestone in implementing the Paris Agreement's enhanced transparency framework.

These reports, submitted by 109 countries (representing approximately 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2020), provide the first comprehensive picture of how the world's nations are tracking the climate commitments they made in the French capital 10 years ago.

BTRs are detailed submissions that countries must provide every two years, as stipulated in the Paris Agreement's enhanced transparency framework.

They include national greenhouse gas inventories, information on progress towards nationally determined contributions (NDCs), climate change impacts, adaptation measures and details of financial and technical support provided or received.

The reports cover data up to 2022 and replace the previous biennial reports and national communications system used under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Progress and implementation

The synthesis report, published by UN Climate Change on 31 October 2025, shows that 50 countries (accounting for well over half of global emissions) have made initial progress towards achieving their 2030 NDC targets.

All countries that submitted BTRs have taken steps to implement their NDCs, with many taking "clear initial steps towards net zero and climate-resilient futures", according to the report.

Simon Stiell, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, says: "Across every region, countries are putting the Paris Agreement into action – through stronger policies, new institutions and whole-of-society approaches that are driving change in the real economy."

The reports document nearly 5,000 policies and measures across all gases and sectors, with 25% of these recently adopted or planned specifically to meet NDC targets.

Energy transition and emissions trends

Renewable energy and electric vehicles emerged as the most scalable mitigation opportunities.

Sales of electric vehicles reached 90% of new car registrations in Norway in 2024, while the EU saw electric cars account for approximately 22% of new registrations in 2022.

However, aggregate greenhouse gas emissions for 81 reporting countries increased by 15.6% between 2005 and 2021, from 31.68 to 36.61 gigatonnes of CO₂ equivalent without land use changes.

Economic activity following the coronavirus pandemic, population growth and increased energy consumption drove this increase.

Finance and support gaps

Despite the positive progress, financial support remains a critical challenge.

Climate finance provided through bilateral, regional and multilateral channels, plus finance mobilised through public interventions, amounted to an annual average of US$63.17bn in 2021-2022.

Developing countries reported needing US$3,396.23bn, with 87.6% required before 2030.

"Several barriers are equally clear, including capacity and data gaps and a persistent shortfall in finance and technology support for developing nations," Simon says.

Adaptation and transparency challenges

Of all the BTRs submitted this year, 91 contain an adaptation component, indicating growing attention on adaptation as part of climate change strategies.

Water resources were identified as the highest priority for domestic adaptation action, and nature-based solutions are increasingly becoming a national adaptation priority.

Of the 66 developing countries that submitted BTRs, 47 applied at least one flexibility provision due to capacity constraints, particularly regarding greenhouse gas inventory coverage and emissions projections.

Looking ahead to COP30

The reports provide crucial context for negotiations at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, where proceedings are set to begin next week.

The synthesis report notes that given the data only covers the beginning of the NDC implementation period, countries that have increased the distance to their targets still have time for "course correction" before the end of the implementation period in 2030.

"This report – along with our recent reports on Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans – all point in the same direction: the Paris Agreement is working, driving climate actions across economies and societies," explains Simon.

"But the pace of change does not yet meet the urgency of this moment, as climate disasters hit every nation harder each year, with colossal human and economic costs."