ClimateScanner: a Rapid Review Tool for Tracking Global Climate Action

The ClimateScanner is an initiative led by SAI Brazil within the WGEA work plan. This project aims to develop and disseminate an innovative rapid review method and tool for assessing government actions on climate change across three axes: governance, public policies, and finance. The ClimateScanner will provide assessments at both national and global levels, offering valuable information for governments, citizens, and stakeholders, and supporting future in-depth work by SAIs. 

The initiative is carried out as joint project, where the role of the INTOSAI WGEA is to provide expertise on climate change and SAI activities on the topic, as well as the connections to the global climate organisations and networks.

Assessment Axes

1. Governance: Legal/regulatory framework, government structure, long-term strategy, risk management, coordination (horizontal & vertical), stakeholder engagement, inclusiveness, monitoring mechanisms, transparency, oversight & climate litigation.

2. Public Policies: Nationally Determined Contribution, mitigation strategy, national adaptation plans/strategies, mitigation sectors, adaptation sectors.

3. Finance: Domestic climate finance, international climate finance (provider & recipient countries), private climate finance mechanisms (domestic & international).

What happened in 2024?

The Global Call event at the UN Headquarters in New York City brought together over 70 Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs). Following this, seven workshops were held around the world, training over 240 auditors from 141 nations.

Additionally, several key materials and platforms were developed to support the initiative. These included a comprehensive framework, detailed methodology, a handbook, a web application, and the CS Community platform. These resources were designed to enhance the capabilities of SAIs in evaluating and reporting on climate action.

2024 Assessments and Preliminary Findings

61 SAIs completed assessments for COP 29 with 19 of the 61 from small island developing states (SIDS) and 13 of the 61 that are in Annex I of the Climate Convention.

According to the preliminary findings, most national governments are currently unable to effectively track their climate action spending. A significant number of countries, specifically 73%, do not have mechanisms in place to tag domestic climate finance. Similarly, 74% of countries lack tracking mechanisms for private sector investment in climate projects.

On a positive note, 80% of countries have established an administrative structure dedicated to climate action. Additionally, 58% have implemented legal and regulatory frameworks to support their climate initiatives. Long-term strategies for climate mitigation are present in 64% of the countries assessed.

However, there are notable gaps in inclusiveness and policy mechanisms. Nearly half of the countries, 46%, do not have mechanisms to include vulnerable groups in the policy design process. Furthermore, 47% of countries are either in the early stages of developing or completely lack mechanisms for adaptation policies. Similarly, 35% of countries show early-stage or absent mechanisms for mitigation policies.

The preliminary findings highlight the urgent need for scaled-up efforts in risk assessments and the establishment of robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems for adaptation. This alignment with the UNFCCC Global Stocktake underscores the importance of enhancing national capacities to meet global climate goals.

2025 objectives

In 2025, the focus will be on enhancing the quality of assessments, analyses, recommendations, good practices, and regional results. Additionally, in Brazil, there will be an update and a subnational assessment to further refine and improve climate action strategies.

Read here the full report: 4 3 1 Climate Scanner updates and results (SAI Brazil)

Please find more information on the ClimateScanner website.