More and more countries have committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. By September 2022, 136 countries covering 83% of global carbon emissions had locked into net zero emissions targets in the coming decades.

However, as we look to COP27 this month, the challenge is turning these commitments into actual outcomes on the pathway to carbon neutrality as soon as possible. We know action on climate change is urgent and we know more needs to be done. It requires a whole-of-government, whole-of-economy effort.

The OECD, through its multidisciplinary competence, is ramping up efforts to support ambitious, effective, globally more coordinated, coherent, and measurable climate action.

We are building on our long-standing experience in climate-related policies to contribute by supporting the UNFCCC to monitor progress and by supporting countries to implement effective climate action. Our efforts are centred around five pillars drawing on the OECD’s key strengths: 1) supporting policy pathways to net zero 2) enhancing adaptation and building resilience to climate impacts 3) mobilising finance, investment and business action 4) monitoring and measuring progress towards climate ambitions, and 5) multilateral and multi-disciplinary approaches to build co-operation.

IPAC, among other initiatives, co‑ordinates these actions on climate change. It draws on our multi‑disciplinary competence to provide concrete tools for monitoring climate performance on national commitments and global net-zero trajectories. IPAC explores climate action across countries, creating a dedicated space for the exchange of best practices to encourage dialogue and pragmatic solutions towards advancing climate objectives. This year’s Climate Action Monitor continues this work and presents new data sets developed by the Programme to permanently monitor climate impacts by evaluating climate‑related hazards and climate action through a comprehensive climate policy measurement framework.

Collectively, we have the ingenuity, human capital and financial resources to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. We will continue to actively support this effort, developing data methods and indicators to measure achievements and better guide action.

Mathias Cormann

OECD Secretary-General