This training course aims to provide support to developing countries to build national capacity to implement the ETF under the Paris Agreement. In particular, the course helps countries to assess and develop mitigation policies, to advance national and international climate objectives and enable the achievement of national priorities and sustainable development goals.

Participants completing this course obtain:

• an overview of the context of the role of ministries and governments in relation to the objectives and requirements of the Paris Agreement and its ETF, and how to implement the ETF in a way that advances national and international goals;
• an improved perspective on data needs and methods for assessing and reporting on mitigation actions, to enable effective climate policymaking and NDC monitoring;
• an overview of where to access best practice advice, knowledge resources, methodologies, guidelines and tools related to climate transparency;
• the context to facilitate the preparation of national institutional arrangements and resource mobilization, as well as support for ETF implementation.

The course targets:

1. Senior government officials working in national ministries/organizations concerned with national action on climate change, with some responsibility for supporting national policy development, climate reporting and/or the implementation of transparency agreements.
2. Technical practitioners working in the field of climate action reporting, data collection and transparency in core and auxiliary ministries. This may also include non-public sector practitioners supporting data collection processes at national and sub-national levels.

This course follows a blended learning approach, with e-learning modules, exercises and weekly virtual interactive sessions with subject matter experts and peers, followed by an in-person workshop. A facilitator is on hand to guide participants, providing real-time feedback on activities and exercises.

The user-friendly online social learning platform offers participants the opportunity to connect with peers from diverse backgrounds, promoting peer-to-peer learning.

Six regional rounds of training have now been offered in English, French and Spanish targeting countries in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Balkans, Caucasus, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East.

Climate finance transparency course

ICAT’s new self-paced online course on climate finance transparency introduces key concepts and practical steps to build climate finance transparency systems. Based on the ICAT Climate Finance Transparency Guide, the course explores how countries can define and classify climate finance, assess climate finance needs, track financial flows, and identify funding gaps. It also highlights approaches and real-life examples for establishing institutional arrangements and coordination mechanisms for effective climate finance management and reporting.

The course is primarily designed for government officials, policymakers, and practitioners working at national or subnational levels. It is open to anyone interested in strengthening their understanding of climate finance transparency and supporting the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

How to take the course?

The course is offered in English as a self-paced online training, accessible for free on the Learning for Nature platform. It is structured into eight modules of approximately 45 minutes each, allowing participants to learn at their own pace:

• Introduction to Climate Finance Transparency
• Module 1a: Scoping and Planning
• Module 1b: Institutional Arrangements
• Module 2: Defining and Classifying Climate Finance
• Module 3: Ex-Ante Climate Finance Needs Assessment
• Module 4: Climate Finance Tracking
• Module 5: Identifying and Addressing Climate Finance Gaps
• Key Takeaways

Learners can enroll online to access the course and progress through the modules at their own pace. To receive a certificate of completion, participants must complete all mandatory modules and submit the course survey. The certificate, issued by ICAT, confirms that the training has been completed.

Training on the Use of the IPCC Inventory Software

The ICAT Training on the Use of the IPCC Inventory Software, which will be launched in the first half of 2026, helps participants develop practical skills in preparing greenhouse gas inventories, in line with the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework. The course introduces the key features and functionalities of the IPCC Inventory Software and guides learners to use it across all IPCC sectors. Practical exercises cover topics such as estimating greenhouse gas emissions and removals, identifying data needs for different source categories, and preparing inventories consistent with the 2006 IPCC Guidelines and UNFCCC reporting requirements.

The course is designed primarily for government representatives, national inventory compilers, and technical experts involved in greenhouse gas inventory preparation. It is open to all interested stakeholders with prior familiarity with the 2006 IPCC Guidelines. It also equips participants with the skills to train others effectively using the Software, making it especially relevant for managers of greenhouse gas inventory teams.

How to take the course?

The course will be offered as a free, self-paced online training in English on the Learning for Nature platform. It is structured into six modules of approximately 60–90 minutes each, plus a shorter module with practical tips for sharing knowledge and training others:

• Introduction Module
• Energy Sector Module
• IPPU Sector Module
• Agriculture Sector Module
• LULUCF Sector Module
• Waste Sector Module
• Tips for Knowledge Sharing

After enrolling, participants can access the course content online and progress through the modules at their own pace. To receive a certificate of completion, learners must complete all mandatory modules and submit the course survey. Once these requirements are fulfilled, the certificate is automatically generated and can be downloaded in PDF format directly from the course platform.