Catalyzing mitigation ambition under the Paris Agreement: elements for an effective Global Stocktake

Figures & data

Figure 1. The NDC cycle as a policy cycle.

Table 1. Synthesis of preconditions for an ideal Global Stocktake.

		Preconditions for an ideal Global Stocktake
Function of the Global Stocktake	Assessment criteria	Process	Information
Pacemaker	Availability of inputs to Global Stocktake	Timing of transparency reports	Meaningful information needs to be included in transparency reports
	Outputs useful to serve national discourses/planning purposes	Timing of Global Stocktake: needs to happen with sufficient time ahead of setting the next NDCs	Outputs need to align with national discourses contain concrete recommendations be public be differentiated/detailed
	Authority/legitimacy of outputs	Need high-level endorsement as well as public attention during the political phase of the Global Stocktake	Outputs should contain a concise summary by/for/of policymakers
Ensuring accountability	Availability of accurate and sufficiently granular data to track progress towards NDCs	Public appraisal of (national) inputs e.g. in form of synthesis report of national technical reports under Art. 13 by Secretariat	TACCC principles: transparency, accuracy, completeness, consistency, comparability of data and information submitted by countries
	Public attention on progress towards meeting NDCs	Public consultation round on inputs to Global Stocktake	Summary of national inputs, e.g. in form of synthesis report including: summary of reaching progress for each country in context of available means of implementation recommendations for closing potential gaps towards reaching NDCs
Enhancing ambition	Definition of benchmarks for ambition	Benchmarks need to be commonly accepted	Benchmarks set by ‘best available science’/IPCC (e.g. defining emission Budgets for individual countries according to equity considerations) Transparency of NDCs Benchmarks enabling comparability of ambition between subsequent NDCs
	Promotion of peer-learning among Parties and highlighting positive developments and synergetic opportunities	‘Workstream’ that enables information sharing at sectoral level Decision on thematic focus areas for sharing lessons learnt Voluntary in-depth review for countries that have made good progress	Best available science on decarbonization pathways, transformation strategies …  Information on best practice regarding implementation Solution-oriented outcomes instead of focus on insufficiency of action
Guidance and signal	Reinforcement of the collective goals agreed in Paris	Political endorsement of IPCC reports, restatement of commitment (‘creed’) to collective targets	Best available science defining and adapting collective goals and pathways to reach them
	Further development and refinement of existing signal	Processing and endorsement of sectoral transformation pathways Relating to other international Agendas (SDGs, New Urban Agenda) Providing a forum for exchange including stakeholders such as transnational governance initiatives (e.g. GCA)	More clearly spell out sector-specific transformation challenges (input through best available science, TEPs …)