Why accurate monitoring is the key to national climate action success
Following the recent publication of the 2025 NDC Synthesis report it’s clear there is a mixed picture of global climate progress.
The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Synthesis Report is a UNFCCC publication that assesses the latest climate action plans submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement. While the direction of travel is improving, the pace of change remains insufficient to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
As countries discuss climate strategies at COP30 and beyond, one message is clear: ambition must be matched by action, and action must be underpinned by data.
An NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) is a country’s climate action plan under the Paris Agreement. It sets out national targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. Countries update their NDCs every five years, aiming to become more ambitious over time. Accurate data helps ensure these targets are credible, measurable, and achievable.
Understanding emissions is the first step to reducing them
To set credible and achievable climate targets, governments must first understand their emissions in detail. This is where robust GHG inventory and Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems come into play. Systems like the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI) in the UK and the newly launched Integrated Emissions Quantification Tool (IEQT) in the UAE provide the backbone of climate data infrastructure.
These tools allow policymakers to:
- Track emissions across sectors and regions
- Identify trends and hotspots
- Evaluate progress towards targets
- Report transparently to international bodies
Without this level of granularity, setting targets and tracking progress becomes guesswork. With it, governments can confidently commit to ambitious reductions, knowing they have the tools to measure progress and adjust course as needed.
Building confidence through transparency
One of the key takeaways from the UNFCCC’s latest report is the need for greater confidence in national climate plans. Transparent MRV systems build that confidence, not just for governments, but for investors, businesses, and civil society. They ensure that pledges are not just political statements, but actionable commitments backed by evidence.
In the UK, the NAEI, developed and managed by Ricardo on behalf of the UK government and consistently recognised as one of the best emissions inventories in the world, has enabled detailed emissions tracking for decades. This has supported the development of carbon budgets, sectoral decarbonisation strategies, and local authority climate plans.
Ricardo was commissioned by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to develop and launch the UAE’s first national greenhouse-gas and air pollutant MRV system – the IEQT, a tool which will consolidate data from across the country and will help to set a benchmark for transparent, data-driven climate action, empowering decision makers to identify the most impactful mitigation measures and accurately assess their benefits.
As other countries seek to strengthen their climate governance, adopting or adapting similar systems could be transformative.
Accelerating action with better data
The climate crisis demands urgency, but urgency without direction can lead to ineffective or misaligned policies. Accurate monitoring helps countries to:
- Prioritise high-impact mitigation actions
- Avoid duplication or inefficiency
- Ensure accountability and continuous improvement
As the global community looks to “pick up the pace,” as the UNFCCC urges, investing in robust MRV systems is not just a technical necessity, it’s a strategic imperative.
From data to decisions
Climate action begins with understanding. By strengthening GHG inventories and MRV systems, countries can move from ambition to implementation with confidence. The UK’s experience shows that when governments have access to high-quality emissions data, they are better equipped to lead the way in climate mitigation.
As global climate negotiations take place, let’s ensure that every country has the tools it needs to turn pledges into progress.
