Performing accountability: face-to-face account-giving in multilateral climate transparency processes

Securing accountability of states for their climate actions is a continuing challenge within multilateral politics. This article analyses how novel, face-to-face, account-giving processes developing countries, referred to as ‘Facilitative Sharing Views’, are functioning the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and what these help shed light on. We analyse nature scope ‘answerability’ being generated novel processes, including state-to-state questioning responses focus on, ‘performing’ in this manner delivers find that limited number countries actively question each other FSV process, with primary sharing information about technical institutional challenges establishing domestic ‘measuring, reporting verification’ systems and, lesser extent, mitigation actions. Less attention given support. A key aim facilitate learning, both from process other. Much effort expended legitimizing anticipation its continuation adapted form under 2015 Paris Agreement. conclude by considering implications our analysis.Key policy insights country engagement face-to-face UNFCCCAnalysis four sessions Views’ reveals horizontal peer-to-peer learningStates more GHG emission inventories MRV less supportWe time capacity engage, one-off rather than dialogue, lack recommended follow-up risks generating ‘ritualistic’ answerabilitySuch also intentionally sidesteps contentious issues such responsibility ambitious fair action but may still build trustMuch ‘naming praising’ participant