UN Climate Change News, 29 September 2026 – Across mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, the effects of climate change are already being felt. Floods, droughts and rising seas threaten communities and the agriculture, fisheries and livestock on which millions of people depend. Weather-related risks cost Tanzania’s agriculture sector at least USD 200 million each year in lost harvests. The country has developed a ten-year National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to boost resilience to these impacts across mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. Submitted to the UNFCCC secretariat in January 2026, the plan covers 36 programmes across 18 sectors. The challenge now is to turn it into action in the places where climate risks are already affecting lives and livelihoods. Before submission, the UN Climate Change Regional Collaboration Centre for East and Southern Africa (RCC EASA) helped review the draft plan. It later shared Tanzania’s experience with other countries in the region developing their own adaptation plans. Putting Tanzania’s adaptation plan to work That work has begun. Sector-related ministries are developing more detailed vulnerability assessments and adaptation plans for coastal and marine areas, health and water. Local governments, supported by the United Nations Capital Development Fund and CARE International Tanzania, have started community-level vulnerability assessments. Tanzania’s Vice President’s Office is preparing a concept note to seek Green Climate Fund support for the next phase. The country has also established a permanent climate finance mechanism within its Ministry of Finance to track and mobilize adaptation funding. The NAP estimates implementation costs at USD 37 billion, making access to finance central to the work ahead. “Development of the NAP is not the end of the process, but the beginning of the long-term national transition towards climate-resilient development,” said Asia Akule, Environmental Officer and NAP Coordinator in Mainland Tanzania’s Vice President’s Office. Building a plan across mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar The NAP grew out of nearly a decade of work. Early assessments in 2016 identified gaps in adaptation planning. From October 2022, with Green Climate Fund financing and support from the United Nations Development Programme, Tanzania’s Vice President’s Office brought together ministries, civil society, academia, the private sector and development partners to develop the NAP. The process included vulnerability assessments across mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, while civil society organizations helped connect national planning with communities and local governments. Funding delays and gaps in climate data complicated the work. Feedback from RCC EASA, the UN Climate Change NAP team and the Least Developed Countries Expert Group helped strengthen the draft before submission. Akule described the Expert Group’s feedback as “very productive and helpful.” Sharing lessons across the region RCC EASA subsequently co-convened a peer exchange webinar in August 2026 with the Government of Tanzania and the United Nations Development Programme. Tanzania’s team discussed what had worked, what had caused delays and what they would do differently, giving other countries developing NAPs a practical account of the process. Tanzania’s experience highlights the value of sustained engagement across government, civil society and communities, as well as small, dedicated teams to keep planning on track. It also shows why countries need to address data gaps and financing constraints as they move from national plans to action on the ground. Read the full case study here.

Background As countries move into the implementation phase of their third generation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), strengthening the institutional systems needed to mobilize, coordinate and deploy climate finance has become increasingly important. While many countries have adopted ambitious climate commitments, implementation often remains constrained by fragmented institutional arrangements, limited coordination between climate and finance institutions, weak investment pipeline development, and insufficient integration of climate priorities into national planning and budgeting processes. The first Global Stocktake highlighted the need to accelerate implementation and strengthen support for developing countries to translate climate commitments into action. More recently, Decision 1/CMA.7 (Global Mutirão) encouraged Parties to develop implementation and investment plans for their NDCs and align them with broader development strategies. In response to these challenges, the Government of Uganda, through its Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, established a Climate Finance Unit (CFU) to strengthen national coordination and enhance the mobilization, management and tracking of climate finance from domestic and international sources. The Unit plays a key role in integrating climate finance into fiscal and development planning processes while supporting the mobilization of climate investments. To facilitate knowledge exchange and peer learning, the UN Climate Change Regional Collaboration Centre for East and Southern Africa (RCC EASA) is hosting a Peer Masterclass focused on Uganda's experience in strengthening institutional readiness, climate finance governance and financial planning systems. Objectives The Peer Masterclass aim was to showcase Uganda’s Climate Finance Unit as a practical institutional model for strengthening climate finance governance and readiness to accelerate NDC implementation. The session: Showcased Uganda’s Climate Finance Unit model and operational experience. Strengthened understanding of approaches to enhance institutional readiness for climate finance. Shared lessons learned on climate finance mobilization and NDC finance planning. Promoted peer learning and South-South cooperation among countries working to strengthen climate finance systems. Target audience The target audience for the event was: Government institutions responsible for climate change, finance, planning and investment. Development partners supporting NDC implementation and climate finance. Climate practitioners, including NDC focal points. Climate finance specialists. Project preparation experts. Investment planning professionals. Key Insights The session convened 69 participants, including government representatives, development partners, and climate finance practitioners to exchange practical insights on strengthening institutional readiness for NDC implementation, drawing on Uganda’s experience with its Climate Finance Unit. The event was also supported by UNCDF and the Uganda Climate Finance Unit. Uganda’s Climate Finance Unit has developed various tools to support climate finance governance including the National Climate Finance Strategy, Climate Budget Tagging Framework, Green Taxonomy, Climate Finance Vehicle, and Green Bond Framework, supporting a structured approach to climate finance mobilisation. Key Lessons Learned Institutional arrangements are the foundation of climate finance mobilisation; Climate finance should be approached as an investment and public finance agenda; Understanding climate finance mechanisms is essential to align projects with funding opportunities; Dedicated mechanisms are needed to strengthen coordination and private sector engagement; Practical, practitioner-led exchanges significantly accelerate implementation.

Across mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, the effects of climate change are already being felt. It is already reshaping daily life for 61.7 million people who depend on agriculture, fisheries and livestock.

UN Climate Change News, 26 October 2026 – Malawi has made getting ready for action a central part of its new national climate plan. Government institutions, all 28 district councils, civil society, the private sector and local communities helped shape it, and the Government's priority now is to turn its commitments into clearly assigned, financed and measurable actions. To move from plan to action, the Government intends to strengthen cooperation across sectors and with local authorities, use the results of a recent readiness assessment to guide capacity-building and resource mobilization, and improve how implementation is monitored and reported. The plan is estimated to require USD 7.06 billion between 2025 and 2035. Domestic and other unconditional resources are expected to cover 39 per cent, and the remaining 61 per cent depends on international support. The need is urgent. Malawi, home to almost 23 million people, is already feeling the effects of climate change. Floods, droughts and tropical cyclones threaten lives and livelihoods, and they disrupt farming, food security and public services. Cyclone Idai in 2019 and Tropical Cyclone Freddy in 2023 caused loss of life, displaced thousands of people and damaged homes and infrastructure. The plan, a nationally determined contribution (NDC 3.0), was led by the Environmental Affairs Department as both a policy process and a readiness exercise. Feedback from districts and communities helped shape the adaptation actions, and sector ministries reviewed the proposed measures against their own policies and priorities. The UN Climate Change Regional Collaboration Centre for East and Southern Africa (RCC EASA) supported this process in two ways. In November 2025, it worked with the Government, the International Water Management Institute and the African Group of Negotiators Expert Support to pilot the NDC Capacity Scorecard in Malawi. This tool helps countries assess the institutional capacity needed to deliver their NDCs. Participants identified strengths, gaps and coordination challenges, and recommended better information-sharing, clearer roles and responsibilities, and stronger monitoring. In January 2026, at the Government's request, RCC EASA also supported validation workshops in which ministries, sector experts and district representatives reviewed the draft plan, its measures and targets, and possible obstacles to implementation before it was finalized. "The NDC is only as strong as the process that shapes it," said Taonga Mbale Luka of the Environmental Affairs Department. "This workshop is about building consensus on Malawi's climate ambition, clarifying roles and responsibilities and identifying pathways for implementation, financing, monitoring and reporting." Three lessons emerged. Readiness for implementation should begin while the plan is being developed. Consultation matters most when people's input changes priorities and responsibilities. And capacity assessments must lead to action, with findings turned into a roadmap and targeted support. Malawi shared its experience at a regional webinar on NDCs in sub-Saharan Africa on 16 April 2026, highlighting the gaps in institutions, technical capacity, coordination, financing and monitoring that many countries face in moving from climate plans to implementation. Its experience offers a practical example for more responsive country support across the region.

Background:  In the session, UNU-VIE partners with Fundación Avina and the UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Centre for Eastern and Southern Africa (RCC‑ESA) in the frame of Greenovations Africa 2 project, synthesizing expertise to capacitate grassroot women entrepreneurs with skills or knowhow to quantify their climate action contribution or climate finance readiness and engagement and participation and alignment with their countries national climate commitment. While The Next Generation Leaders provide knowledge for the key entry points for women’s leadership in policy processes and practical skills to turn climate policies into practical, community‑based action. Objectives: Enhancing climate finance readiness and access Strengthening gender-responsive and participatory implementation skills Promoting peer learning and knowledge exchange Embedding action within policy and strategic frameworks Enabling effective and inclusive implementation   Format:  The session will be delivered online and will combine presentations, moderated discussions, and interactive group‑based activities using virtual breakout rooms.  Participants will engage in guided tool demonstrations followed by hands-on exercises in breakout groups, where they will use the climate impact tool to develop mock profiles based on selected climate challenges or grassroots women‑led solutions. Group work will be complemented by plenary discussions, short participant pitch presentations, and facilitated Q&A to encourage peer learning, reflection, and practical application of tools‑generated evidence to policy, funding, and implementation contexts. General Structure:    Time Segment 13:00–13:15       Opening: Opening remarks and introduction of session segments, speakers   Overview Policy Context Brief overview of national climate commitments in NDCs and NAPs. 13:15–13:45 Segment 1: Climate impact tool Presentation of the climate impact tool, followed by an interactive participant exercise using the tool to develop mock profiles based on selected climate challenges or grassroots women‑led solutions. This also highlights gendered climate realities which include climate risks and unpaid care work. 13:45–14:15 Segment 2: From Evidence to Action Implementation‑focused exercise translating tool outputs into actions, decisions, or investments, concluding with short participant pitch presentations. 14:15–14:45 Segment 3: Policy Context - NDC/NAPS Processes with Country examples Overview of national climate commitments, including key priorities, gender-responsive targets, and financing objectives articulated in NDCs and NAPs. 14:45–15:00 Closing & Reflections Moderated reflection on key lessons learned, including gender, finance, and institutional gaps. Outcomes: Improve understanding of national climate commitments, including gender and financing dimensions, structural and care related barriers to climate finance for grassroots women entrepreneurs, and how gender-responsive climate leadership supports inclusive climate action and implementation of national climate priorities. Gain a clear policy and strategic framework for gender-responsive climate action, while strengthening understanding of how grassroots women-led climate initiatives align with NDC priorities and climate finance mechanisms, and improving capacity to apply participatory tools for investor readiness. Contribute to more effective, inclusive, and gender-responsive climate actions and outcomes, while supporting identification of methodological gaps and capacity building priorities, and enhancing peer learning, collaboration, and exchange across regions.

Malawi, a landlocked country in south-eastern Africa with a population of almost 23 million people, is already experiencing the effects of a changing climate.

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Background As climate impacts intensify, countries need adaptation measures that reduce vulnerability while delivering broader environmental, social and economic benefits. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can contribute to this effort by protecting, restoring and sustainably managing ecosystems to strengthen resilience, support human well-being and conserve biodiversity. National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) provide a key framework through which countries identify their medium- and long-term adaptation needs and develop strategies and programmes to address them. Integrating NbS into NAP processes can support biodiversity conservation, food and water security, public health, livelihoods and economic resilience alongside climate adaptation objectives. Across Africa, countries are increasingly incorporating ecosystem-based approaches into their adaptation planning. Measures such as watershed protection, wetland restoration, reforestation, sustainable agriculture and ecosystem conservation feature in a growing number of NAPs. However, translating these commitments into implementation and measurable adaptation outcomes remains challenging. Limited technical capacity and financing, insufficient institutional coordination, and gaps in monitoring and evaluation continue to constrain progress. This webinar brought together policymakers, practitioners, researchers and development partners to examine how NbS are being integrated, implemented and monitored through NAP processes. It provided an opportunity to share country experiences, explore practical solutions and identify ways to strengthen the financing and institutional arrangements needed to move from commitments to action.   Objectives The webinar, organized by the UN Climate Change Regional Collaboration Centres for East and Southern Africa (RCC EASA) and West and Central Africa (RCC WACA), in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), aimed to: Present recent evidence on the integration of NbS into NAP processes in selected African countries; Share country experiences and practical examples of incorporating ecosystem considerations into adaptation planning, implementation and monitoring; Identify enabling conditions, good practices and barriers affecting the implementation of NbS; Explore strategies to strengthen financing, monitoring and institutional coordination; and Promote peer learning and knowledge exchange among adaptation policymakers, practitioners and development partners. Participants The webinar was intended for: Government representatives working on environment, climate change, agriculture, water, finance, planning and other sectors involved in NAP development and implementation; International organizations, non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations working on ecosystem-based adaptation, climate resilience and natural resource management; Researchers and academics specializing in climate adaptation, biodiversity, ecosystem resilience and environmental policy; Donor agencies, climate funds and multilateral development banks supporting adaptation and conservation initiatives; and Indigenous Peoples and local communities engaged in community-based adaptation, landscape restoration and natural resource governance. Outcomes and key takeaways The joint event brought together 120 participants from across Africa, including representatives from national governments, regional and international organizations, development and technical partners, climate adaptation practitioners, and organizations working on Nature-based Solutions and National Adaptation Plans. The event also featured country-level perspectives from Liberia and South Sudan, alongside contributions from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)/NAP Global Network and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The webinar provided a platform to discuss progress in integrating Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) across Africa, with a particular focus on the transition from planning to implementation, investment, and measurable resilience outcomes. Key Takeaways Moving from Planning to Implementation: The question is no longer whether NbS belongs in NAPs, but how plans can be effectively delivered on the ground. NbS and ecosystem-based adaptation are already well established within NAPs across Africa. The priority now is to translate existing plans into investable implementation pipelines and tangible resilience outcomes. Strengthening the Investment Pipeline: Countries need stronger capacity to translate NAP priorities into concrete, well-designed, and investment-ready projects. This will be essential for bridging the gap between national planning and implementation. Mobilizing Finance for Implementation: Financing remains a major constraint to scaling up NbS. Greater attention is needed to accessing available financing mechanisms, strengthening project preparation, and combining complementary sources of finance. Linking NbS Clearly to Climate Risk: NbS interventions need to be designed around clearly identified climate hazards, vulnerabilities, and adaptation outcomes. Restoration or conservation activities alone do not automatically constitute adaptation; their contribution to reducing vulnerability needs to be clearly demonstrated. Strengthening Institutional Coordination: Effective implementation will require stronger coordination across sectors, ministries, and levels of government, as well as better alignment between adaptation, biodiversity, and development planning processes. The analysis highlighted opportunities to strengthen linkages between NAPs and National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans. Putting People at the Centre: Local communities, Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth should be treated not only as beneficiaries but also as knowledge holders and partners in designing, implementing, and sustaining NbS interventions. Measuring Resilience Outcomes: Monitoring and evaluation should move beyond tracking activities and outputs towards demonstrating whether investments are reducing vulnerability, strengthening adaptive capacity, and improving resilience for people and ecosystems. Scaling Up Requires Continued Collaboration: Sustained collaboration, peer learning, technical support, and knowledge exchange will be important to help countries strengthen NbS integration throughout NAP formulation and implementation. Overall, the webinar demonstrated that significant progress has been made in recognizing and incorporating NbS within national adaptation planning. The key challenge now is to close the gap between planning and implementation by strengthening financing, project pipelines, institutional coordination, local ownership, and the measurement of resilience outcomes.

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Background As countries move towards implementing a new generation of climate commitments under NDC 3.0, strengthening the financial implementability of these commitments is becoming increasingly important. While many countries have made ambitious pledges under the Paris Agreement, translating these commitments into actionable, financeable and investment-ready plans remains a significant challenge. Following the conclusion of direct country support provided by the UN Climate Change Regional Collaboration Centre for East and Southern Africa (RCC EASA) to the Government of Seychelles, growing interest has emerged around how financial implementability assessments can support countries in moving from climate ambition to implementation. The Seychelles assessment focused on evaluating the financial implementability of past NDC commitments and strengthening the investment-readiness of future climate action priorities. The process highlighted several common barriers to implementation, including limited costing and prioritization of NDC measures, fragmented alignment of public finance systems, and insufficient climate finance mobilization strategies. At the same time, it identified opportunities to strengthen investment frameworks, develop more robust project pipelines and improve institutional coordination mechanisms to enhance the credibility and financial feasibility of NDC implementation. In response, RCC EASA is convening a virtual masterclass and peer-learning exchange bringing together experts and representatives from Seychelles and Eswatini to share practical experiences, analytical frameworks and lessons learned on strengthening financial implementability and investment planning for NDC 3.0 implementation. The session contributes to the RCC mandate of providing technical, demand-driven support for NDC and LT-LEDS implementation and facilitating peer exchange among countries facing similar implementation challenges. Objectives The masterclass aims to support Eswatini in strengthening the financial implementability of NDC 3.0 by sharing practical experiences, analytical frameworks and tools that can help translate climate commitments into credible implementation and investment plans. Specifically, the session will: Present the financial implementability assessment framework applied in the Seychelles NDC process; Share lessons on identifying systemic constraints affecting NDC implementation; Discuss practical approaches and investment planning tools to strengthen national investment frameworks and financing strategies; Facilitate peer exchange between Seychelles and Eswatini as they prepare NDC implementation plans and investment strategies. Expected outcomes The masterclass is expected to: Improve understanding of financial implementability challenges affecting NDC implementation; Share practical lessons from the Seychelles NDC financial assessment; Strengthen awareness of tools available for investment planning; Facilitate peer exchange among countries preparing NDC implementation frameworks; Identify opportunities for follow-up country support. Audience The masterclass will bring together representatives from the Governments of Seychelles and Eswatini, national NDC coordination teams, technical experts, development partners and practitioners involved in climate finance, investment planning and NDC implementation support.  

Background Climate change is increasingly disrupting education systems worldwide, with particularly severe impacts in East and Southern Africa. Extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, cyclones and heatwaves, are damaging infrastructure, interrupting schooling, and affecting millions of children across the region. Countries such as Mozambique, Malawi, Kenya and South Africa have experienced recurrent climate shocks, leading to school closures, displacement of learners and long-term educational disruption. These impacts disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including girls, children with disabilities and those living in poverty. At the same time, education systems play a critical role in building adaptive capacity by equipping children and youth with the knowledge and skills needed to respond to climate change. Integrating education into the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process, established under the UNFCCC Cancun Adaptation Framework, offers a key opportunity to strengthen resilience while advancing inclusive, country-driven adaptation planning. While historically underrepresented in climate policies, the education sector is increasingly being incorporated into NAPs. Strengthening this integration is essential to protect the right to education and to support long-term climate resilience in the region. Objectives The webinar, co-organized by the UN Climate Change Regional Collaboration Centre of East and Southern Africa (RCC EASA), Save the Children and the NAP Global Network, aims to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders in East and Southern Africa to effectively integrate education into National Adaptation Plan processes. Specific objectives include: Sharing the current status of education integration in NAPs across the region. Identifying entry points for incorporating education into NAP formulation and implementation. Highlighting regional case studies and emerging good practices. Exploring barriers and opportunities for mainstreaming education into adaptation planning. Fostering collaboration among climate and education stakeholders. Target audience The webinar is designed for: Policymakers and government officials from ministries of education, environment and planning. National Designated Authorities (NDAs) and climate change focal points. Education stakeholders, including teachers, administrators and training institutions. Youth representatives, civil society organizations and NGOs. International partners and development organizations. Key takeaways and outcomes The regional webinar on Integrating Education into National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) – Building Climate-Resilient Education Systems for Children and Youth in East and Southern Africa convened 120 participants from governments, UN agencies, civil society organizations, academic institutions and youth networks across East and Southern Africa. Discussions confirmed a shared understanding that climate change is already disrupting education systems at scale and that education must be systematically integrated into national adaptation planning to protect learning continuity and strengthen long-term resilience. Presentations highlighted that the NAP process provides a strategic framework for addressing climate risks affecting education, prioritizing adaptation actions, and mobilizing financial and institutional support. While education is increasingly referenced in NAPs, speakers noted that it often remains insufficiently prioritized, inadequately costed and weakly coordinated, limiting effective implementation. Key takeaways from the presentations and panel discussions included: Education as a core adaptation priority. Speakers emphasized that education is both highly vulnerable to climate impacts and essential for resilience-building. As noted by the Regional Lead at RCC EASA, “Education is one of the sectors most affected by climate change, yet it remains underrepresented in adaptation planning. When education is absent from NAPs, adaptation efforts remain incomplete.” Clear entry points across the NAP process. Technical presentations highlighted practical opportunities to integrate education throughout all phases of the NAP process, including climate risk and vulnerability assessments, planning and costing, implementation, and monitoring, evaluation and learning. Participants stressed the importance of aligning these efforts with existing education sector plans and budgeting processes. Evidence-based planning strengthens integration. Drawing on country experiences such as Malawi and Zimbabwe, panelists noted that education-specific climate risk assessments can strengthen the case for positioning education as a national adaptation priority. As one panelist observed, “The NAP process can set out a national commitment to adaptation in the education sector, but this must be grounded in solid evidence.” Institutional coordination is essential for implementation. Discussions underscored the importance of early and sustained engagement of Ministries of Education in NAP coordination mechanisms. Ms. Leonora from UNESCO highlighted that “Ministries of Education need to be equal partners from the outset of the NAP process, not an add-on, if adaptation actions are to be implemented and financed effectively.” Children and youth participation improves relevance and effectiveness. Several speakers emphasized that adaptation planning becomes more effective when informed by children’s lived experiences. Mr. Malama from Save the Children noted that “When children’s lived experiences shape national adaptation plans, education adaptation becomes more targeted, more credible and more effective.” Financing and costing remain critical challenges. Speakers consistently highlighted the limited inclusion of costed education actions in NAPs as a major barrier to implementation. Ms. Leeya from UNICEF emphasized the strong investment case for education adaptation, noting that “Strengthening schools to withstand climate shocks can generate up to 13 dollars in benefits for every dollar invested.” Participants stressed that positioning education as climate-relevant and investment-ready is essential to unlock both domestic and international climate finance. Overall, the webinar strengthened regional momentum towards education-inclusive, implementation-ready and climate-resilient NAPs that protect learning continuity and support long-term adaptive capacity.  

RCC East and Southern Africa, based in Kampala and hosted by the East African Development Bank, supports eight countries in advancing NDCs, NAPs, Article 6 readiness, and climate finance planning. In 2025, the RCC  continued to support countries of the region in achieving climate goals under the Paris Agreement.

Background COP30, held in Belém in November 2025, marked a key moment in advancing the implementation of the Paris Agreement, with a strong focus on the next cycle of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), informed by the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake. For countries in sub-Saharan Africa, these developments are particularly relevant as many are in the process of updating or implementing their NDCs, while facing ongoing challenges related to coordination, financing and capacity. In this context, the UN Climate Change Regional Collaboration Centres for East and Southern Africa (RCC EASA) and for West and Central Africa (RCC WACA) are organizing a regional webinar to unpack COP30 outcomes related to NDCs and support countries in advancing their climate commitments. Objectives The webinar aims to unpack the key COP30 outcomes relevant to NDCs and discuss their implications for the development, implementation and financing of NDC 3.0 in sub-Saharan Africa. More specifically, it will: Provide an overview of COP30 decisions relevant to NDCs. Highlight the implications of COP30 outcomes for the NDC 3.0 ambition cycle. Discuss emerging priorities for implementation, financing and institutional coordination. Identify opportunities for regional collaboration and technical support through the RCCs and partners. Promote knowledge exchange among countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Expected outcomes The webinar is expected to contribute to: Improved understanding of COP30 outcomes and their implications for NDCs. Enhanced awareness of emerging priorities for NDC 3.0 development and implementation. Strengthened regional collaboration and knowledge exchange among African countries. Identification of priority areas where the RCCs and partners can provide technical support. Target audience The webinar will bring together stakeholders involved in climate policy and implementation, including national NDC focal points, government ministries and climate coordination units, regional and international organizations, climate finance institutions, technical partners and development agencies, as well as civil society and research institutions.

Background Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face distinctive challenges in turning climate priorities into financed and implementable projects. Limited institutional capacity, high transaction costs, complex approval processes and delays in disbursement can slow progress, even when projects respond directly to national climate and development priorities. This interactive session will take place as part of a three-day regional peer-to-peer forum on NDC implementation readiness for SIDS, hosted by the Republic of Mauritius with support from the NDC Partnership, GIZ, the UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Centres (RCCs) and the Center for Access to Climate Finance. The forum will bring together government representatives and international technical experts to exchange experiences, explore tailored solutions and help accelerate NDC implementation in the Western Indian Ocean region. Led by the UNFCCC RCCs, the session will examine the full life cycle of a climate finance deal - from institutional anchoring and investment prioritization to project preparation, approval, disbursement, implementation and monitoring. Drawing on real transactions and experiences from SIDS, it will focus on the practical obstacles that can cause deals to stall and the approaches that can help move them forward. Objectives The session aimed to: Build a practical understanding of how climate finance deals for SIDS are structured, approved and implemented. Identify common bottlenecks affecting project preparation, approval, disbursement and delivery. Share lessons, good practices and recommendations drawn from real transactions. Explore ways to simplify, standardize or aggregate transactions and strengthen countries' capacity to access and use climate finance. Generate practical inputs to inform follow-up support from the UNFCCC RCCs and partners. Audience The session was designed for government representatives from SIDS, including officials involved in climate policy, finance, planning and project implementation, as well as climate finance practitioners, development partners and technical experts supporting NDC implementation. Outcomes The Regional Forum for Practitioners on Advancing NDC Implementation Readiness for SIDS, hosted by the Government of Mauritius, brought together government representatives, climate finance practitioners, development partners and international organisations to exchange practical experiences on accelerating NDC implementation and improving access to climate finance. The forum served as a peer-learning platform focused on strengthening institutional readiness, investment planning, and climate finance mobilisation for Small Island Developing States. It was supported by the NDC Partnership, GIZ, the UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Centres (RCCs), and the Center for Access to Climate Finance.  Key focus areas Discussions centred on: NDC implementation readiness and institutional arrangements. Alignment of NDCs, NAPs and LT-LEDS. Climate finance mobilisation and investment planning. Public-private partnerships and blended finance. Innovative financing instruments, including debt-for-climate swaps, green and blue bonds. Article 6 opportunities and carbon markets. Gender and social inclusion, blue economy initiatives, sustainable transport, and green jobs.  RCC contribution A major contribution from the UNFCCC RCC network was the co-design and facilitation of a practitioner skill-sharing session titled“The Anatomy of a Climate Finance Deal for SIDS.” The session was jointly led by Minky Groenewald (RCC EASA) and Mona Ayoub (RCC MENA and South Asia). Using an interactive World Café format, participants explored the full lifecycle of climate finance transactions, from concept development to implementation and monitoring. The session featured contributions from institutions including Uganda’s Ministry of Finance, UNDP, the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and UNEP, alongside case studies from the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub and Fiji’s Climate Finance Division.  Main findings The discussions highlighted several recurring challenges faced by SIDS: Limited project preparation capacity and technical expertise. Fragmented institutional arrangements and weak coordination mechanisms. Complex and lengthy climate fund approval and disbursement processes. Insufficient integration of climate priorities into national fiscal and investment planning.  Participants stressed that successful NDC implementation depends not only on access to finance but also on strong institutions, clear mandates, effective coordination structures, and active engagement of Ministries of Finance and domestic financial institutions.  Strategic insights Three overarching lessons emerged: Institutional arrangements matter. Countries with strong governance structures and finance ministry engagement are better positioned to secure and manage climate investments. Project preparation remains a critical bottleneck. Many climate priorities fail to attract funding because they are not developed into investment-ready projects.  Ministries of Finance play a central role. Integrating climate priorities into fiscal planning and national investment strategies is essential for scaling implementation.

Malawi is in the final stages of developing its Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), with formal submission to the UNFCCC targeted for March 2026.

Under the Paris Agreement, Parties are required to prepare, communicate, and update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) on a regular basis, with each cycle reflecting progress and increasing ambition.

Malawi has committed to implementing its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), which outlines national priorities in mitigation and adaptation aligned with the Paris Agreement.

Strengthening the Implementation of Early Warning Systems

The webinar materials are now available on the page.

Workshop to support Parties of the region formulating and implementing NAPs

Get a glimpse of RCC EASA's achievements in 2024

Upcoming: Regional Webinar on GHG Emissions Projection

RCC EASA highlighted COP29 outcomes on adaptation and resilience.

RCC EASA supports developing a National Carbon Market Strategy Under CiACA initiative

RCC EASA unpacked the COP 29 outcomes on Article 6 and the CDM

Africa has a surge in green innovators/entrepreneurs contributing to climate action and local impact.

The fourth and final phase of the Gender Capacity Building Project funded by the Africa Climate Change Fund

This forum showcased the key outcomes of the Greenovations project and explored collaborations to address silos of engagement.

Webinar to (a) provide an overview of the process and necessary steps for developing tier 2 inventories and (b) tips on how to translate these into NDC targets.

As a part of Greenovation webinar series, RCC EASA will co-host a session for African women entrepreneurs.

RCC hosts regional workshops on Article 6 and Carbon Pricing

Support to African countries in the development of LT-LEDS.

Experts, policymakers and innovators share knowledge towards gender-responsive green innovation ecosystems across Africa.

RCC EAS Africa and School of Policy and Governance host capacity-building workshop on net zero Considerations in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda. Objectives Present key decisions on NDCs, including a roadmap for preparation and submission for NDC 3.0 and GST outcomes as countries prepare NDC 3.0. Build capacity for governments to understand, interpret and make decisions on NDC strategies to ensure they are implementable based on practical realities. Build capacity for countries to integrate GST outcomes, carbon neutrality and 1.5 Degree considerations into the NDCs, national development and policy advocacy. Background The Paris Agreement on climate change requires all parties to prepare, communicate, and maintain successive nationally determined contributions (NDCs). NDCs are the main vehicle for countries to communicate their climate ambitions and actions, and to align them with their national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). NDCs are critical tools for countries to align low-emission development with broader sustainability, socio-economic, and climate change adaptation goals.  They present an opportunity for countries to achieve low-emissions and climate-resilient development, and short- and medium-term actions needed to get there.   The 2023 NDC Synthesis Report, identified that a significant portion of NDCs are connected with the goal of shifting towards a sustainable, low-carbon, and resilient economy, considering social, environmental, and economic aspects along with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is particularly crucial for the African Region, where many countries have aligned their actions and support, but their actions and commitments do not get us to 1.5 degrees. It is important that as countries prepare for NDC 3.0, they consider factoring in the 1.5 degrees goal and carbon neutrality.   Key takeaways Increased awareness: Participants gained insights into integrating net-zero targets within national planning frameworks. Skill development: The workshop provided tools and knowledge to support the development and implementation of ambitious NDCs. Cross-country collaboration: The workshop fostered regional dialogue, offering a platform for open discussions, shared learning, and the formation of new partnerships. Technical exposure: Participants were introduced to new approaches and methodologies for the development of climate policies aligned with global goals. Practical application of learnings: Several policymakers expressed interest in integrating workshop insights into ongoing draft revisions of their NDC strategies. Network building: The workshop was an opportunity for participants to establish professional connections, potentially supporting a coherent approach to future regional climate initiatives.

On Wednesday, 26 June 2024, RCC EAS Africa will host a regional webinar to advance development of the NDCs 3.0. The Regional Collaboration Centre for East and Southern Africa supports governments in the region as they look to develop an ambitious third round of Nationally Determined Contributions in early 2025.   Objectives The webinar aims to facilitate space to exchange knowledge and experiences among East and Southern Africa countries regarding the challenges faced in the preparation and updating of NDCs. Through these sessions, we seek to identify common challenges, share best practices, and foster collaboration among the countries of the region. This webinar seeks to: Understand needs of Parties for the process to develop their NDCs 3.0 Identify successful practices and common challenges for NDC preparation and updates Provide suggestions that enhance ambition and enable implementation of the NDCs 3.0 Background It is a critical time as the next round of NDCs due in 2025 requires new and more ambitious NDCs from countries. The Global Stocktake (GST) outcome agreed at COP28 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, and encouraged Parties to come forward with ambitious, economy-wide emission reduction targets, covering all greenhouse gases, sectors and categories and aligned with the 1.5°C limit in their next round of NDCs.    NDCs are submitted every five years to the UN Climate Change secretariat. This third round is due by February 2025. The previous round of NDCs shows that current efforts and plans are insufficient to put the world on track to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.   The latest science from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicates that greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced by 60% by 2035, compared to 2019 levels, and that adaptation and mitigation must be pursued with equal force and urgency to advance sustainable development for all.    The GST invited the secretariat including their Regional Collaboration Centres (RCCs) and organizations in a position to do so, to provide capacity-building support for the preparation and communication of the next NDCs.    The first generation, NDC 1.0, and the second generation, NDC 2.0, have yielded valuable insights through their implementation, which provides orientation for the development of the upcoming cycle, NDC 3.0. This platform will be instrumental in understanding the processes undertaken by each Party and how to progress towards achieving the goals outlined in Article 2 of the Paris Agreement, including in this new round of NDC 3.0 submissions. Drawing from challenges and best practices observed in the development and implementation of past NDCs, Parties can apply them in this new round of NDC 3.0 submissions nine to 12 months ahead of COP30.    

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

The RCCs in Africa and our partners held a stakeholder validation workshop for the recent Africa LT-LEDS Landscape Study. The workshop opened an opportunity for countries, experts and other stakeholders to provide feedback and advance a comprehensive strategy that can enhance the capacity of African countries to align LT-LEDS and NDCs. The Regional Collaboration Centres serving East and Southern Africa, West and Central Africa, and Middle East and North Africa partnered with the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) and Climate Analytics to conduct a study on understanding the Long Term Low Emission Development Strategies landscape across Africa. The main objective of the study was to establish the state of play, challenges, and opportunities to enhance the development of LT-LEDS across the continent. Additionally, the study sought to identify best practices that would inform development of a guide that countries can use while elaborating LT-LEDS.   

RCC EAS Africa leads a project to build the capacities of women and gender negotiators in its region.

Regional development and implementing organizations discuss approaches for increased cooperation and coordination in providing support towards developing NDC 3.0

Long-Term Low Emission and Climate Resilient Development Strategies event, ACW 2023

RCC hosted a series of webinars in preparation for NDC 3.0

This study seeks to assist Eastern Africa countries with mitigation technologies and activities.

RCC EAS and WAC Africa hosted a Long-Term Low greenhouse gas Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) regional capacity-building workshop for Africa

RCC EAS and WAC Africa co-organized a workshop on the margins of the Africa Climate Week 2023.

UN Climate Change Regional Collaboration Centres will host a webinar series on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement

This year's Africa Climate Week will take place from 4-8 September 2023 in Nairobi, hosted by the government of Kenya. ACW 2023 will be organized in parallel with the Africa Climate Summit on 4-6 September, also hosted by Kenya.

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 22 May 2023, UN Climate Change hosted a webinar about the Notification to Parties in Sub-Saharan Africa on the NDC and LT-LEDS Synthesis Reports.

In April, RCC East and Southern Africa co-organized a workshop to enable climate finance access in East Africa Community nations.    The East African Community (EAC) is home to over 284 million people living in seven Partner States, which includes Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda.   To equip officials from the Ministries of Environment, Finance and Regional Affairs with the necessary knowledge and skills to mobilize and access climate finance, UN Climate Change supported the EAC to hold a climate finance workshop on 17-19 April, in Arusha, Tanzania. The workshop built on the earlier support provided through the Needs Based Finance project (NBF), which developed a regional climate strategy and identified potential priority regional projects.  Workshop sessions discussed practical aspects of project preparation such as developing a theory of change, establishing a climate and regional rationale and identifying social and environmental risks. Climate funds and accredited entities provided initial feedback on three programs on Food Security, Water Security and Nature-Based Solutions, which were selected among the eight priority regional programs.  The training culminated in key inputs to be considered in advancing the pre-concepts into complete concept notes acceptable to the targeted funding institutions. UN Climate Change and collaborating partners are excited to continue supporting the EAC and its Partner States along this journey.   The workshop was delivered in collaboration with the Adaptation Fund, Green Climate Fund, Global Environmental Facility, and accredited entities such as the Africa Development Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development, and United Nations Development Programme. This provided Partner States with first-hand information on existing funding windows, access modalities, priorities, and project cycles. This was an important step towards mobilizing the needed US$ 26 billion annually to meet EAC’s combined Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) ambitions. Visit the event page for more information.  

RCC Kampala in collaboration with International Organization for Migration produced a report mapping the policy integration of human mobility to key climate change and green economy policies. The full report can be found at the IOM Environmental Migration Portal. A short article on the study can be found at IOM Publications webpage. On 24th of February 2023, a report on ‘Integration of human mobility in Green Economy and related policies in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region’ was published. The report looks at the key policies guiding climate action and green economy development and how human mobility considerations have been integrated in these. The study was done in collaboration between the UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Center (RCC) of Eastern and Southern Africa in Kampala and International Organization for Migration (IOM) East and Horn of Africa Office (EHoA). The study is a part of a multi-partner project on ‘Addressing drivers and facilitating safe, orderly, and regular migration in the contexts of disasters and climate change in the IGAD region’. The Need for Whole-of-Society Approaches to Address Climate Mobility The IGAD region is regarded as one of the most vulnerable to climate variability and change. Countries in the region are regularly affected by slow and sudden onset extreme weather and climatic processes and events, most commonly environmental and land degradation, drought, water level changes, rainfall variability, floods, landslides, and storms. These degrade ecosystems, reduce crop yields, and destroy habitable areas, livelihoods, jobs, business premises and other infrastructure. Different forms of human mobility (including displacement, migration, and planned relocation) to, from and within the IGAD region reflect the complex drivers and structural factors that often compel people to leave their country or homes of origin. The number of people migrating and those at risk of displacement is anticipated to increase in the coming years, considering projected population growth, constant environmental change, degradation, and an increase in the frequency and intensity of hazards associated with the adverse effects of climate change. Green economy policies can provide a framework to combine aspects of environmental protection and human mobility and human mobility’s contributions to sustainable development concretely. The report demonstrates the needs and opportunities related to the integration of human mobility in regional and national green economy related policies, including national development plans. The report finds that regardless of the strong climate action commitments in the region, the integration of human mobility into climate policy and green economy policy is often partial. Based on the identified issues, the report also maps best-practices and offers recommendations. Key recommendations include how to address: Strengthening of knowledge and evidence base for inclusive green economy policy-making and service delivery Reinforcement of whole-of-government approached to ensure policy coherence on ‘human mobility, climate  change, and green economy nexus’ Building of whole-of-society approach to green economy development through engagement and skills transfer The full report can be found on the IOM  Environmental Migration Platform. A short article on the study has been published in ‘Migration Policy Practice’ (p.31). The publication focuses on policy-oriented research and analysis, with the aim to contribute to a better understanding of the multidimensional aspects of migration and inform migration policies at the national, regional and international levels. The full open-access publication can be downloaded from the IOM Publications Platform.          

RCC Kampala launches the open online course with UN Development Programme in the UN Climate Change COP27 Pavilion

Africa Climate Week 2022 brought together youth to discuss implementation of the Paris Agreement

An Africa Climate Week 2022 event to enhance dialogue and action among stakeholders on human mobility and green development...

The EAC becomes the second sub-region to endorse a Climate Finance Access and Mobilization Strategy developed under the  Needs Based Finance project 

Governments from across Africa met at an Inter-Ministerial Conference on Migration, Environment and Climate Change held from 27 to 29 July in Kampala, Uganda to advance cooperation on climate change induced human mobility.

In February 2022, RCC Kampala is supporting the Earthshot Prize by seeking inspiring, inclusive and impactful solutions for nomination. The Earthshot Prize is a global environment prize designed to incentivize change and help repair our planet over the next ten years.

With the UN Climate Change conference to be held in Africa this year, RCC Kampala recently sat down with environmental scientist, climate change activist and YOUNGO Global South Focal Point Elizabeth Gulugulu to discuss youth leadership and participation on the road to COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, this November.

The first African nation with an updated NDC takes a step towards civil society access to climate finance One of the key success factors for unlocking climate action, and a priority of the COP26 Presidency and UN Climate Change, is mobilizing climate finance. Therefore, it was timely for Rwandan CSOs to build capacity to access climate finance in the first country in Africa with their enhanced NDC.

The CiACA initiative was launched by the UNFCCC secretariat following the historic Paris Agreement in order to offer assistance to countries willing to explore the use of economic instruments to achieve their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). Listen to Mr. James Grabert, Director, Mitigation Division.