About the Initiative

Our Approach

ICAT integrates guidance, capacity building and knowledge sharing to engage countries in the use of a common framework to assess the impacts of their policies and actions and report progress, fostering greater transparency, effectiveness and ambition. The Initiative will improve the availability and quality of data and enable countries to promote efficient, cost-effective policies. The Initiative will also provide a platform for countries to share lessons learned and build mutual confidence in their climate actions.

ICAT Series of Guidance

Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF)

In collaboration with technical experts from around the world, the initiative is developing a series of guidance for countries to use to transparently measure and assess the impacts of climate policies and actions. This includes guidance for measuring the effects of policies and actions on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change, responding to sustainable development needs and driving transformational change.

The guidance will accommodate different needs and national circumstances to ensure it is widely applicable and broadly supported. It builds on existing methods and approaches, such as the Policy and Action Standard (WRI/Greenhouse Gas Protocol) and other Related Guidance.

A survey was conducted to gather stakeholder input on the series of guidance. Results are available here: ICAT Stakeholder Survey Results or view the Survey at a Glance.

Capacity Building

The initiative is also working with developing countries to strengthen capacity to assess climate actions (in the context of their NDCs) and report their progress in line with the Paris Agreement, based on individual country needs. ICAT works closely with governments, along with public agencies, higher education institutions and civil society bodies, to strengthen institutional arrangements, processes and procedures. The Initiative supports in-country capacity development programmes through training modules on measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of policies and actions, and knowledge sharing of good practice and lessons learned.

UN Women/Gaganjit Singh

Who's Involved

The Initiative was founded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, the Italian Ministry of the Environment and the ClimateWorks Foundation. The initial funding is US$16 million.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) manages the trust fund through which the Initiative is funded. This structure allows new donors to join the trust fund, to expand our work and its reach.

The Donor Oversight Committee provides the overall strategic direction of the Initiative, with input from the Advisory Committee. The Donor Oversight Committee includes representatives from the donors, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and UNOPS. The Advisory Committee includes leading experts from participating countries, multi-lateral organisations, civil society and think-tanks.

The implementing partners are UNEP DTU Partnership (UDP), Verra, World Resources Institute (WRI), and the Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA). The Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance and Rainforest Alliance are supporting partners and will contribute to specific aspects of the Initiative.

The ICAT guidance is being developed through a broad, participatory process. For further details on our governance process, please see the Governance Plan and Terms of Reference.