The 2023 RCC Annual Report is out: check out the RCCs' achievements per region!

On 30 May from 10:00 to 11:30 local time, RCC Caribbean will host the side event ‘Unlocking sustainable future in SIDS: national climate policies and actions on clean energy and climate finance’, together with our partners and co-organizers lsland Innovation and GIZ.   The side event will discuss linkages between national policies, transparency reporting and finance mechanisms through the lens of energy transition in SIDS as an opportunity to advance climate action in small islands. The event will feature key experts and government representatives who are invited to share their national experiences. Register your interest to join the side event here.   Background The event 'Unlocking sustainable future in SIDS: national climate policies and actions on clean energy and climate finance' will take place as a side event of SIDS4. It offers an opportunity to focus on practical and impactful solutions and to forge new partnerships and cooperation at all levels. The event will also highlight the advantages of clean energy investments to national planning.  The Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) will be held under the overarching theme of “Charting the course toward resilient prosperity". The Conference will aim to assess the ability of SIDS to achieve sustainable development, including the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals.   Objectives Discuss challenges and opportunities in the clean energy transition in SIDS including assessing the perspectives for an interconnected energy market Facilitate SIDS debate on the importance of clean energy national policies, long-term development strategies and sustainable development efforts Share experiences on sustainable energy initiatives, models of energy transition and on mobilizing climate finance for national climate action Discuss the biennial transparency reporting for NDC tracking (critical role of BTRs) Discuss the role of carbon markets in NDCs and how they can drive implementation and transformative change in SIDS   Target Audience Government officials from SIDS (Caribbean, Asia Pacific, Africa); Non-Party stakeholders including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), regional organizations and private sector with interest in clean energy development   Participation To inform your participation, please visit the SIDS4 Conference page or explore the SIDS4 Side Event Concept Note. Register your interest to join the side event here.  

RCC Caribbean and RCC Latin America build capacity for effective implementation in Cuba with Article 6 workshop    From 14 to 17 May, RCC Caribbean teamed up with RCC Latin America to deliver a three-day workshop that connected seven Cuban officials with Article 6 practitioners from the governments of Panamá and the Dominican Republic. The workshop raised awareness about Article 6 and its different mechanisms among relevant Cuban ministries and facilitated knowledge exchange and stronger collaboration between Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Panamá.    Background  Article 6 of the Paris Agreement provides a framework for international cooperation to enhance ambition and action on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Article 6 encourages greater private sector involvement and investment in low-carbon projects, helping to scale up climate finance and accelerate the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.  Capacity-building support and regional collaboration enable all governments to participate in Article 6 activities.     Objectives  This Article 6 workshop seeks to increase understanding and enable collaboration, specifically it aims to:  Introduce Article 6 instruments to governmental ministries in Cuba outside the environmental sectors  Deepen understanding of Article 6 mechanisms, with focus on potential uses in national and regional contexts  Equip participants with knowledge to develop an implementation plan for Cuba to engage with Article 6 mechanisms  Develop the necessary skills and knowledge to train other officials in Cuba and amplify impact  Facilitate knowledge exchange and sharing of experiences among Cuba, Panama, and the Dominican Republic 

RCC Caribbean mobilizes regional partners for the NDCs 3.0   In late April 2024, RCC Caribbean brought together more than 15 partners in the region to connect countries with support for the NDCs 3.0. This meeting was convened as part of a global series of partner meetings to develop ambitious NDCs by early 2025. Connecting governments with support for NDC development can increase the confidence needed to make bold commitments and accelerate implementation.    Background The Paris Agreement requires all Parties to prepare, communicate and maintain successive Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that it intends to achieve. The NDCs are the main vehicle for countries to express their climate ambition and actions, and to align them with their national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals. This is especially relevant now with Decisions 6/CMA.3 and 1/CMA.5 requiring new and more ambitious NDCs from countries to be developed and submitted in 2025, with targets until 2035. In addition to being more ambitious, the NDCs 3.0 must be country-owned, country-driven, implementable, and well-positioned to unlock financing. The first Global Stocktake (GST) outcome underlined that despite overall progress on mitigation, adaptation, and means of implementation and support, Parties are not yet collectively on track towards achieving the purpose of the Paris Agreement and its long-term goals. As such, 43 percent emission reduction is needed by 2030 relative to 2019 levels, 60 percent emission reduction is needed by 2035, and net zero emissions by 2050. The outcome therefore encouraged Parties to come forward with ambitious, economy-wide emission reduction targets, covering all greenhouse gases, sectors and categories. The GST decision also emphasized the need for collective efforts by inviting the UN Climate Change Secretariat, including through the RCCs, and other organizations in a position to do so, to provide capacity-building support for the preparation and communication of the next NDCs.  Diverse development and implementation partners are providing NDC preparation and implementation support to countries in the Caribbean, including support for data and analysis, policy and planning, finance and investment, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement. This regional partner meeting is a follow-up to the global support workshop on NDCs convened by the UNFCCC secretariat in early March 2024 in Bonn, Germany. At that meeting, partners put together a framework to inform the NDC 3.0 support ecosystem.   Objectives To provide a platform for dialogue and exchange among development and implementing organizations actively supporting countries in the Caribbean on NDC development in 2024-25 Partners to discuss priority areas of work in addition to the types and scope of support available to the countries in the region To provide an opportunity for partners to discuss their perspectives on country engagement on NDC 3.0 and identify opportunities to create awareness around support available in the region.   Way Forward RCC Caribbean will map out the different support avenues available to the countries in the region and  provide insight on where collaborations can be developed. This information will be shared with the network of partners and made available to countries in the region. This exercise will hopefully ensure that Caribbean countries can access support that is fit for their purposes. RCC Caribbean will continue to engage with these and other partners providing support in the region on NDC development. The plan is to convene regular meetings to continue the discussions and collaborations on the way forward for the region to develop ambitious NDCs 3.0.

RCC hosted a series of webinars in preparation for NDC 3.0

Promoting transformative climate innovation in both the Caribbean and the Pacific SIDS

Learn about the dynamic cyclical process to developing and implementing NDCs

Innovative hands-on experience using a computer-based carbon market simulator

A webinar series on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement will be hosted by UN Climate Change Regional Collaboration Centres to share information and provide knowledge on Article 6 with key stakeholders to increase their understanding and readiness for participation

The Latin America and the Caribbean Climate Week (LACCW) is now open for receiving Expressions of Interest to host an event at the climate week. National, regional and local governments, the private sector, investors, youth organizations, science organizations, universities and schools, cooperatives, Indigenous Peoples organizations, filmmakers, media and other stakeholders are welcome to submit their event proposals. Hosted by the government of Panama in Panama City, the Latin America and the Caribbean Climate Week 2023 takes place from 23 to 27 October 2023. The Latin America and the Caribbean Climate Week seeks to facilitate and accelerate the region’s response to the climate crisis. The climate week offers opportunities for presenting new ideas, taking part in lessons learned, and finding opportunities for working together. We welcome diverse applications from stakeholders working in the region and ask that all submissions align with one or several of the four thematic tracks that the climate week will focus on: Energy systems and industry Cities, urban and rural settlements, infrastructure, and transport Land, ocean, food, and water Societies, health, livelihoods, and economies The 2023 Regional Climate Weeks provide a timely opportunity for policymakers, practitioners, businesses and civil society to share climate solutions, overcome barriers, realize opportunities and ultimately take concrete action that will allow us to course-correct and achieve the Paris Agreement goals and objectives. LACCW 2023 is hosted by:  

During each of the 2023 Climate Weeks, the UN Climate Change and its Regional Collaboration Centres will host Dialogues on Carbon Pricing, Article 6 Training, and DNA Forum

On 26 May 2023, UN Climate Change hosted a webinar about the Notification to Parties on the NDC and LT-LEDS Synthesis Reports. The webinar shared details about the planned NDC and LT-LEDS Synthesis Reports for 2023 and opened an opportunity for countries to share their perspectives.   Webinar for Latin America and the Caribbean on NDC/LT-LEDS Update and Synthesis Report 2023 26 May 2023 |11:00 AM EST (UTC -5) |10:00 PM AST (UTC -4) | 17:00 AM CEST (UTC+2) Virtual Webinar Click here for the Concept Note in English and here for the Concept Note in Spanish   Video in English   Video in Spanish         The Webinar shared details about the NDC and LT-LEDS Synthesis Reports for 2023 being prepared by the secretariat and solicited country perspectives regarding their plans to submit updates to NDCs or LT-LEDS in advance of COP28. The webinar also covered important dates and approaches for the updated NDC Synthesis Report and LT- LEDS Synthesis Report for 2023. Development partners joined to share opportunities and resources to facilitate these efforts.  The Webinar was organized by RCC Caribbean and RCC Latin America. Additional support comes from collaborating UN Climate Change staff and our development partners. 

With a specific focus on National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) – COP27 event

Advancing strategic collaboration on finance in the Eastern Caribbean

 LACCW 2022 marks a key step on the road to COP27 This year's Latin America and the Caribbean Climate Week, LACCW 2022, wrapped up on 22 July  in Santo Domingo. Explore the LACCW 2022 Output Report and Event Programme to learn more about how these discussions represent a step on the road to COP27. Watch the Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony to discover key takeaways and inspiring examples of action, hear from the host government and be inspired by youth from the region. Videos available in Spanish: Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony.

Over three webinars, the Caribbean AGYLE engaged more than 40 young people from across the region on crucial climate change topics. These informed how young people can help shape a resilient, low-emission future for the Caribbean and contribute to global climate action.

On 25 May 2022, an informative webinar was held to share details on the NDC Synthesis Report and LT-LEDS Synthesis Report that will be prepared in 2022 with Parties in Latin America and the Caribbean.

After 2 years, the ETF/CGE support unit organized the first in-person hands-on training workshop on transitioning to the ETF and tracking progress in implementing and achieving NDCs for the Caribbean region

Decisions in key areas and adoption of rules for Article 6 of the Paris Agreement at COP26 in Glasgow sparked a growing interest in many countries which currently have no international emission cooperation mechanisms in place. The capacity building on carbon pricing is an integral part of the implementation of such mechanisms under Article 6.