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This research paper by the NewClimate Institute examines the role of non-state actors (NSAs) and subnational governments in climate action following the 2015 Paris Agreement, arguing for more robust accountability frameworks and refined reporting mechanisms to prevent greenwashing and better integrate NSA efforts with national goals.

This report presents recommendations from civil society and indigenous experts regarding the proposed creation of a UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change. Based on regional consultations across 55 countries, the document argues that a dedicated mandate is necessary to ensure a coordinated, rights-based approach to climate action and to hold state and non-state actors accountable for climate-related human rights violations.

This briefing note by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) explains how civil society can use the UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies (HRTBs) reporting procedure to hold states accountable for climate change policies. It details the process of submitting parallel reports to secure country-specific recommendations, which can then be leveraged for national advocacy and litigation.

This research paper examines the relationship between transparency and accountability within multilateral climate politics, specifically regarding the 2015 Paris Agreement's "pledge-and-review" approach and its "enhanced transparency framework".

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the follow-up and review mechanisms for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It focuses on the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) as the central coordinating body, proposing a 'bottom-up' approach to accountability where information and peer learning drive policy change. The authors suggest improving the HLPF's effectiveness through better synthesis of vast reporting streams, the use of strategic annual themes to ensure holistic review, and the strengthening of national and regional review processes.

This guide, produced by the Adaptation Finance Accountability Initiative (AFAI), provides a five-step methodology for civil society organizations (CSOs) to track climate change adaptation finance. It aims to improve transparency and accountability by helping CSOs gather evidence on funding flows from international donors to local communities, ultimately informing evidence-based advocacy to ensure resources reach the most vulnerable populations.

This guide, published by Natural Justice in December 2014, provides an overview of regional and international grievance and advocacy mechanisms available to indigenous peoples and local communities. It categorizes these tools into UN human rights systems, regional human rights systems, international and regional financial institutions, industry-specific standards, and other advocacy opportunities, detailing eligibility, processes, and potential barriers for each.

This World Resources Institute working paper details the first phase of the Adaptation Finance Accountability Initiative (AFAI), which maps international-to-national adaptation finance flows and assesses institutional contexts in Nepal, the Philippines, Uganda, and Zambia.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) evaluates the World Bank's pilot projects using 'country systems' (CS) for environmental and social safeguards. CIEL argues that the approach fails to create permanent improvements in borrower countries' laws, weakens safeguard standards, lacks transparency, and creates barriers for communities seeking accountability through the Bank's Inspection Panel. The report warns that the Bank's plan to expand to 'country-wide' pilots is premature and recommends an independent public review and significantly increased transparency.

A joint submission by 24 civil society organizations, including the Center for International Environmental Law, criticizing the International Finance Corporation's (IFC) proposed Approach to Responsible Exit. The submission argues that the IFC's current framework fails to ensure remedy for harms caused by its investments and lacks transparency, urging the institution to make remedy a prerequisite for exit and to implement rigorous pre-divestment due diligence and community consultation.

This working paper examines the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in creating transparent and accountable climate adaptation finance systems, drawing on experiences from Ethiopia, Uganda, Bangladesh, Kenya, and the Philippines to propose a framework for increasing community inclusion in decision-making.

A guide by the World Resources Institute providing a five-step methodology for civil society organizations (CSOs) to track climate change adaptation finance flows to improve accountability and inform advocacy.

This report analyzes the integration of open governance principles—transparency, participation, and accountability—within the climate finance system. It finds that while multilateral institutions have consistent approaches, bilateral and private finance governance is less transparent and accountable. Key barriers include the lack of a common definition for climate finance and the fact that final investment decisions often occur without public participation. The report concludes that current international finance lacks sufficient enforcement mechanisms and that improvements must come from domestic laws and institutional policies rather than UNFCCC negotiations alone.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute provides a framework for REDD+ countries to strengthen accountability mechanisms. Based on a review of 20 Emissions Reduction Program Idea Notes (ER-PINs) submitted to the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility’s (FCPF’s) Carbon Fund, the paper identifies critical gaps in power relationship definitions, the formalization of rules, and the implementation of grievance redress mechanisms.

This working paper by the Project for Advancing Climate Transparency (PACT) consortium analyzes the technical expert review and facilitative, multilateral consideration of progress within the Paris Agreement's enhanced transparency framework. It evaluates 20 years of review processes to propose options for more sustainable, cost-effective, and clear procedures that support climate ambition and implementation while maintaining flexibility for developing countries.

The World Resources Institute describes the Financial Institutions Net Zero Tracker, a tool and framework designed to evaluate the transparency, ambition, implementation, and credibility of net zero commitments made by financial institutions, including their consideration of equity and nature.