Background

The Mutual Learning Program (MLP) for Enhanced Transparency supports countries in meeting the reporting requirements under the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) of the Paris Agreement. Initiated in 2023 by the Capacity-Building Initiative for Transparency – Global Support Programme (CBIT-GSP), the Ministry of the Environment Japan (MOEJ), and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), the program builds capacity for preparing Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) by facilitating the exchange of drafting techniques and best practices.

Funded by MOEJ and jointly implemented with IGES, Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting (MURC), and CBIT-GSP, the program began with experts from five countries focusing on mitigation reporting in the Energy sector in 2023. By 2024, it expanded to include new participants and addressed reporting in both the Agriculture and Energy sectors.

Over an 18-month period (May 2023–October 2024), participants completed technical meetings and five reporting exercises, refining their skills in using the Common Tabular Format (CTF) tables and tracking NDC indicators. Peer exchanges, feedback, and discussions fostered mutual learning and collaboration among participants. 

Rationale for MLP-2025

In 2025 CBIT-GSP and IGES via the Ministry of Environment of Japan plan to continue the MLP programme for the selected countries and focus on NDC tracking, particularly focusing on reporting GHG emission projections. In the context of Eurasia, Central Asia, and Caucasus, the accurate reporting of GHG emission projections is not only a critical component of NDC tracking but also a foundational element for the upcoming NDC 3.0 submissions in 2025.

Projections play a vital role in enabling countries to set ambitious and achievable targets for their updated NDCs, especially in light of the following issues that the countries struggled with during the BTR preparation:

• Most of the countries within both networks utilized flexibility provisions to complete Common Tabular Format (CTF) tables on projections and have a limited understanding on how to report on the selected tables.
• There are gaps in data, limitations in applying methodologies, and systems for projection development.
• Limited understanding in linking projection data with national policy frameworks to reflect ambitious NDC updates.

Participating countries:

The countries which have confirmed their interest and will participate in MLP in 2025 are:

Pair 1. Eurasian Network

1. Moldova
2. Türkiye

Pair 2: Central Asian and Caucasian Network

3. Azerbaijan
4. Uzbekistan

Aims and objectives 

The MLP program in 2025 aims to directly address the above detailed challenges by building technical capacity in reporting on GHG emission projections as per MPG requirements, as well as fostering peer-to-peer learning and collaboration between the participating countries in Eurasia, Central Asia and the Caucasus.

The main objectives of the MLP-2025 are to: 

1. Enhance capacities for reporting on GHG emission projections as the basis for next round of BTRs and ambitious NDC 3.0 targets.
2. Address issues in completing CTF tables related to projections, ensuring compliance with ETF reporting requirements.
3. Provide a platform for countries to exchange best practices, methodologies, and lessons learned in reporting on GHG projection and NDC tracking.
4. Support countries in aligning their projections with national climate policies and long-term low-emission development strategies.

At present, confirmation was received from Moldova and Türkiye from the Eurasian regional network and Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan from the Central Asia and Caucasian regional network.

This means that there will be two pairs coordinated by CBIT-GSP Network Coordinators. Moldova and Türkiye is the first pair coordinated by CBIT-GSP Network Coordinator for Eurasia (Sladjana Bundalo) and Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan is the second pair coordinated by CBIT-GSP Network Coordinator for Central Asia and the Caucasus (Nailia Timerkhanova). Japan will join as an additional country, which will participate in MLP-2025 in one or both pairs of countries (to be confirmed).

The MLP programme will officially start with two Kick-off Events for the two pairs of participating countries, and following this, the countries will proceed in performing the allocated Exercise. This will be followed by a Peer-review, and finally the countries will present the key findings at the Main meeting.

The details are as follows: 

1. Kick-off meeting’s main objectives:
   1. Introduce the program, its goals, and key participants.
   2. Present the status of GHG projections and reporting in the countries’ BTRs, and their role in NDC updates for each country.
   3. Discuss the use of flexibility provisions and challenges in completing CTF tables.
   4. Introduce the Exercise and main milestones.
2. Objectives of the Exercise and Peer Review process   
   1. Conduct practical exercises on reporting the projections and completing associated CTF tables. In overall, there will be 5 CTF tables, which directly address emission projections across all main sectors. 
   2. Address issues related to data gaps, projection assumptions, and sector-specific methodologies.
   3. Facilitate peer reviews to exchange feedback, refine exercises, and share innovative approaches.
3. Main Meeting’s objectives
   1. Present and discuss the results of the Exercise.  
   2. Address peer-review feedback and respond to comments, provide clarification if needed.
   3. Identify opportunities for continued collaboration on refined transparency reporting on ETF.