How we translated complex climate reporting for developing countries
Sector(s):
Service(s):
The Change
We clarified the complexities of climate reporting and contributed to a global culture of transparency and effectiveness.
Transforming climate communication with the UNFCCC
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a membership of 197 countries (called “Parties”) with the collective aim of preventing dangerous human interference with the climate and stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations.
The Challenge
Aiming to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by encouraging the stabilization of greenhouse gas levels, the UNFCCC established the current system of reporting country-level information: Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV). In 2015 all Parties aligned on The Paris Agreement, adopting an enhanced transparency framework (EFT) designed to build mutual trust and confidence in advancing climate action.
However, these reporting systems can be complicated and hard to incorporate at a national level, especially for developing countries striving for responsible growth. To ensure that government organizations could easily understand the MRV process, the UNFCC needed a way to transfer and simplify complex climate action information into a variety of settings and resources.
The Solution: Making climate reporting accessible to all
The UNFCCC hired Be the Change Group to provide a series of knowledge translation materials over eight years. We worked to transfer complex climate action information into several settings and resources, which included international conferences, public-facing materials, and an e-learning series. We focused on using straightforward and accessible language, with a primary goal of empowering executive members of government organizations with a clear understanding of the MRV and ETF processes.
Knowledge translation
The UNFCCC provided Be the Change Group with several technical reports and background documents on the topic. Our team of climate experts, researchers, and communications specialists then reviewed and compiled this information, breaking down complex concepts into accessible, bite-sized pieces of information to be used in developing several communication resources and assets.
Creation of Zibu (and friends!)
Understanding that the process of MRVs begins at a country level, we felt the foundation of the materials should focus on a central character. We conceptualized Zibu, a fun and fictional country personified to guide viewers through the MRV and ETF processes. This engaging character and a series of its friends brought the otherwise technical narrative to life, supplemented by vivid, fun imagery.
Zibu can’t get enough of knowledge translation!
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic-induced pivot to virtual training, the UNFCCC partnered with Be the Change Group once more. We converted PowerPoint slides and other in-person training materials into into engaging videos with plain-language scripting, custom graphics, and, again—our fictional country Zibu—to help with knowledge translation.
We also developed a four-part video presentation in five languages (English, Spanish, French, Russian, and Arabic), ready for use on the UNFCCC website and learning platforms.
Through this collaboration, Be the Change Group not only clarified climate reporting complexities but also contributed to a global culture of transparency and effectiveness—a true testament to innovative climate communication.
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