Transparent emissions reporting

Building a measurement, reporting and verification system for Sri Lankan industries.

Under the Paris Agreement, countries have committed to national determined contributions (NDCs). These state how each country will reduce national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. But to be able to report back on NDCs, each country needs a transparent and robust monitoring system that can track GHG emissions – what is called a ‘GHG inventory’ – and the mitigation actions, policies and measures being taken to reduce emissions. This is where a measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) system comes in.

MRV systems are also called transparency systems. At COP26, countries agreed to provide Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) every two years. BTRs must include a country’s GHG inventory and mitigation measures. High-income countries also have to report on climate finance (low- and middle-income countries are encouraged to do this).