Climate Action Accountability System

Angel Hsu

15 years: Associate Professor, Founder & Director

In this video, Angel explains the UN’s Recognition and Accountability Framework (RAF) and how it strengthens climate action. Learn how data, AI, and governance improve transparency, enforce commitments, and drive real progress toward net zero!

Data Science

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Climate Action Accountability System

5 mins 31 secs

Key learning objectives:

Understand how the UN’s Recognition and Accountability Framework (RAF) improves climate action transparency and enforcement
Understand the role of standardised data, governance, collaboration, and digital innovation in building an effective accountability system

Overview:

The Recognition and Accountability Framework (RAF) is a UN initiative to enhance climate action accountability by uniting businesses, investors, and governments under a data-driven system. It aims to improve transparency, enforce commitments, and empower marginalised communities. The framework is built on four principles: open, machine-readable data; clear governance protocols; coordinated capacity-building; and digital innovation, including AI and satellite monitoring. By establishing a standardised, scalable accountability system, the RAF can drive meaningful climate action and accelerate progress toward net zero emissions.

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Summary

What is the Recognition and Accountability Framework, and why is it needed?

The RAF is a UN-led initiative designed to unify climate accountability across businesses, investors, and governments. Announced in June 2023, it tackles fragmented reporting and voluntary self-regulation by promoting standardised, data-driven enforcement. By creating a shared system, it ensures commitments are credible, measurable, and inclusive of diverse stakeholders, including marginalised groups.

How does the RAF improve climate accountability and enforce commitments?

The RAF enables stronger verification of climate commitments, reducing reliance on voluntary, inconsistent reporting. It fosters coordination among global actors, synchronising climate action efforts while promoting transparency. By requiring standardised data and governance, the system holds organisations accountable and drives meaningful, science-based policy decisions.

What key principles make an effective climate action accountability system?

The RAF is built on four principles: open, standardised data for interoperability; clear governance protocols for reliable and ethical data management; coordinated capacity-building to ensure broad participation; and digital innovation, leveraging AI, satellite monitoring, and smart technologies to enhance emissions tracking and climate analysis.

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Angel Hsu

Dr. Angel Hsu, a PhD in Environmental Policy from Yale University, is the Founder and Principal Investigator of the Data-Driven EnviroLab, a research group at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She focuses on developing data-driven global environmental policies and has previously led initiatives for corporate greenhouse gas accounting and reporting in developing countries. Angel has also contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's sixth Assessment Report. She holds a BS in Biology and a BA in Political Science from Wake Forest University. Her work focuses on innovation in environmental and climate solutions.

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