The Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) is a cornerstone of the Paris Agreement’s architecture, designed to build trust and accountability among nations as they collectively tackle climate change. With the first Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) officially due by December 31, 2024, countries worldwide faced the challenge of implementing these new reporting requirements. While many nations encountered obstacles in meeting this deadline, the submission of high-quality BTRs remains crucial for the climate governance system—including among Small Island Developing States. These reports aren’t merely bureaucratic exercises—they serve as vital inputs for Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) updates and the upcoming second Global Stocktake in 2027. In response to this challenge, the Caribbean Cooperative MRV Hub (the “MRV Hub”) is hosting several collaboration opportunities for regional capacity building.
In response to this challenge, the Caribbean Cooperative MRV Hub (the “MRV Hub”) is leading a strategic, hands-on effort to strengthen regional transparency systems by equipping national teams with the technical expertise, peer learning opportunities, and practical tools needed to meet BTR requirements and sustain long-term climate reporting capacity.
Collaborative Capacity Building in the Caribbean
The MRV Hub recently hosted its annual meeting alongside a workshop on BTR Finalization and NDC Alignment. The workshop recognized the diversity of progress among participating countries, providing “troubleshooting sessions” for those still working toward submission and “improvement planning sessions” for countries that had already submitted their BTRs. All participants gained valuable insights on preparing for the Technical Expert Reviews (TERs) that follow submission.
This gathering was supported by the Partnership on Transparency in the Paris Agreement (PATPA), the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency – Global Support Program (CBIT-GSP), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which offered Anglophone Caribbean countries tailored technical support.
Key Workshop Elements & Outcomes
What made this workshop particularly effective was its hands-on approach. Participants received:
- In-depth technical guidance on applying the Paris Agreement’s modalities, procedures, and guidelines
- Practical experience with UNFCCC reporting tools
- Constructive peer feedback on BTR development work planning
- Opportunities to share challenges and solutions with regional colleagues
- Strategic planning for continuous improvement
- Insights into what linkages exist between BTR reporting and NDC development
The workshop created a supportive environment for both technical learning and relationship-building. By bringing together experts and practitioners from across the Caribbean, it fostered a regional community of practice that will continue to support transparency efforts beyond individual reporting cycles.
MRV Hub Annual Meeting: Celebrating a Milestone
We are also delighted to share significant news about the MRV Hub. On the final day of the meeting, the MRV Hub celebrated with member countries its official transition to an independent non-profit organization, marking a transformative milestone in regional climate transparency and collaboration.
Incubated under a five-year International Climate Initiative (IKI) grant from the German Federal Government, the MRV Hub has built an impressive legacy of capacity building across the Caribbean. Over the past five years, the MRV Hub has assisted twelve English-speaking Caribbean countries with climate data management, delivered technical training and peer-learning opportunities, and supported the development of critical climate reporting documents, including greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, mitigation assessments, Biennial Update Reports (BURs), BTRs, and NDC tracking.
The transition to a legally registered non-profit organization in Grenada represents a significant evolution for the MRV Hub. This new status ensures greater autonomy in operations and governance, expands funding and partnership opportunities, strengthens regional collaboration through formalized arrangements, and enhances service delivery capacity.
With a solid governance structure that includes a Board of Directors and a regional steering committee comprising climate experts and government representatives, the MRV Hub is well-positioned to continue its essential work supporting Caribbean countries in their climate reporting commitments and Paris Agreement implementation.
The Greenhouse Gas Management Institute (GHGMI) is proud to have supported the MRV Hub through this transition phase alongside our partners at the Windward Islands Research & Education Foundation (WINDREF) and the UNFCCC. The MRV Hub’s success stands as a powerful example of sustainable capacity building and regional cooperation in climate governance.
Looking Ahead
As practitioners in climate measurement, reporting, and verification, GHGMI understands that robust transparency systems are fundamental to effective climate action. Transparency isn’t just about compliance—it enables informed decision-making, highlights implementation gaps, and facilitates access to financial and technical support.
This MRV Hub gathering exemplified the collaborative approach needed to make the ETF successful. Combining technical expertise with peer learning and tailored support demonstrated how regional cooperation can strengthen national capacity. As we progress through 2025, the outcomes of the workshop and annual meeting will inform ongoing transparency work across the region and beyond. The submitted BTRs will provide crucial data for NDC enhancement while identifying areas for capacity building and support. For countries still finalizing their submissions, the workshop provided both practical tools and moral support. For those already looking toward their next reporting cycle, it offered strategies for continuous improvement and preparation for the review process.
The Greenhouse Gas Management Institute (GHGMI) offers technical support and capacity-building initiatives for climate transparency worldwide. For more information on our MRV Hub programs, please contact us. To learn more about the Caribbean Cooperative MRV Hub’s initiatives or explore partnership opportunities, visit www.mrvhub.org or follow the organization on Facebook & LinkedIn.
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