RCC Caribbean
RCC Caribbean
    Aerial View of Scenic Harbor in Caribbean Island
    Using Climate Budget Tagging and Transparency Tools to Inform Climate-Responsive Budgeting and Track Climate Expenditure

    Background Under the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF), Parties are required to regularly report information on climate action and support, including climate finance provided, mobilized and received, through Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs). For Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS), strengthening climate finance transparency is essential not only for meeting reporting requirements but also for supporting the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and other national climate priorities. Reliable climate finance data helps governments track climate-related expenditures, identify financing gaps, and inform planning and budgeting decisions. However, many countries in the region continue to face challenges in systematically identifying and tracking climate-related expenditures within national budget systems. Climate Budget Tagging (CBT) offers a practical approach to classify and monitor climate-related spending, strengthening national transparency systems while supporting more informed climate-responsive budgeting. This webinar will introduce key approaches to climate finance tagging and highlight relevant methodologies and country experiences from the Caribbean region. Objectives The webinar, organized by the UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Centre Caribbean, in collaboration with CBIT-GSP, and ICAT, aims to demonstrate how Climate Budget Tagging (CBT) can support climate finance transparency across the budget cycle by: Informing climate-responsive budgeting and resource allocation (ex-ante). Monitoring, tracking and reporting climate-related expenditures (ex-post). Expected Outcomes Participants will: Gain a clearer understanding of the role of climate finance tagging within national transparency systems. Become familiar with practical approaches for defining, classifying and tagging climate-related expenditures. Identify institutional arrangements and data sources needed to support climate finance tracking. Share country experiences, challenges and good practices. Explore potential follow-up support, peer learning opportunities and capacity-building activities. Target Audience The webinar is designed for: Officials from ministries of finance, planning, environment and climate change Climate finance units and national budget coordination teams National experts responsible for climate finance tracking and reporting Regional and international partners supporting transparency and climate finance initiatives

    Group picture RCC Caribbean NDC 3.0 webinar
    Pathway to NDC3.0: Experiences and Lessons Learned from the Caribbean

    Background The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) serve as the primary vehicle through which countries articulate their climate ambition and actions, while aligning them with national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals. Under the Paris Agreement, Parties are required to prepare, communicate and maintain successive NDCs that they intend to achieve, with the third cycle being due last year in 2025. 132 countries have so far submitted their NDC 3.0 including several from the Caribbean, a region that contributes negligibly to the total global greenhouse gas emissions, however highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. These Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have demonstrated their commitment to global climate goals through the efforts made to comply with the mandates of the Paris Agreement. Reflecting on the first Global Stocktake (GST) outcome delivered at COP28, it was communicated that despite overall progress on mitigation, adaptation and means of implementation and support, countries are not yet collectively on track towards achieving the purpose of the Paris Agreement and its long-term goals. The GST also invited organizations in a position to do so, and the secretariat, including through its regional collaboration centres (RCCs), to provide capacity-building support for the preparation and communication of the next NDCs. In support of this, the RCC Caribbean, NDC Partnership (NDCP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) are highlighting the experiences from several Caribbean countries who presented their NDC 3.0 in 2025. Many SIDS, including those in the Caribbean, face challenges related to technical capacity, institutional coordination, and sustained support, which can affect both the ambition and implementation of their NDCs. In this context, the sharing of country experiences plays a critical role in fostering peer learning and advancing collective progress toward the goals outlined in Article 2 of the Paris Agreement. Objectives The webinar aims to provide a structured platform for Caribbean countries, including Belize, The Bahamas and Suriname, to exchange practical insights on their NDC 3.0 preparation and implementation processes. Specifically, the webinar seeks to: Provide a clearer understanding of the institutional arrangements, coordination mechanisms and technical approaches used in the preparation of NDC 3.0. Highlight best practices, challenges encountered and lessons learned during the development process. Share countries’ plans and expectations regarding the transition from NDC planning to implementation. Encourage peer engagement among countries currently developing or refining their NDC 3.0, fostering collaboration and mutual support within the region. Expected Outcomes The webinar is expected to: Strengthen regional peer learning on NDC 3.0 preparation and implementation. Enhance understanding of effective coordination models and cross-sectoral engagement in SIDS contexts. Identify common capacity gaps and potential areas for targeted support. Facilitate continued collaboration between Caribbean countries and regional and international partners. Support improved readiness for implementation and enhanced ambition in future NDC cycles. Target Audience: This webinar is designed for: Government officials and technical experts involved in the preparation, revision and implementation of NDCs. Representatives of ministries responsible for climate change, environment, finance, planning and sectoral policy areas. National focal points and institutions engaged in climate governance and reporting. Regional and international organizations providing technical and financial support for NDC implementation. Development partners and stakeholders supporting climate action in the Caribbean. Event Summary and Key Takeaways from the Webinar The presentations on the preparation of NDC 3.0 reflected a broader regional shift toward more integrated, data-driven, socially inclusive and finance-oriented NDC processes across Caribbean countries. Several common themes emerged from the country presentations, including stronger quantification and accountability, expanded sectoral coverage, whole-of-society engagement, alignment with National Adaptation Plans, and an increased focus on climate finance and Loss and Damage. While the countries demonstrated strong institutional commitment and growing stakeholder engagement, participants highlighted that the transition from planning to implementation depends largely on addressing persistent financing and capacity gaps. Key takeaways from the discussion included: Whole-of-government and whole-of-society implementation: NDC implementation requires coordination across public institutions, private sector actors, civil society and international partners. From commitments to delivery: NDC 3.0 must be operationalized through formal implementation plans and dedicated climate investment strategies that translate commitments into structured delivery frameworks. Diversified climate finance: Countries are seeking to mobilize a wider range of financing sources, including private capital, concessional finance and carbon market mechanisms. Market-based approaches: Several countries are exploring market-based instruments and cooperative approaches as part of their implementation and financing strategies. Finance as a key bottleneck: Participants noted that the main constraint is not ambition or planning, but access to predictable, adequate and timely finance, alongside capacity limitations for project preparation and execution. Continued capacity-building: Strengthening institutional capacity, particularly in climate finance structuring and project preparation, remains essential for effective NDC implementation.    

    Saint Vincent and the Grenadines landscape
    Building Institutional Capacity to support the development of NDC 3.0 in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

    St Vincent and the Grenadines submitted their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) to the UNFCCC in 2015, communicating an unconditional, economy-wide reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 22% compared to its business as usual (BAU) scenario by 2025[1]. Since then, the country has prepared an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which was approved by the Cabinet in 2024. That NDC, however, was never submitted to the UNFCCC, and the country is now updating it to be submitted as the NDC 3.0. In an effort to strengthen their institutional capacity and deliver a robust document, St Vincent and the Grenadines sought clarification to understand the Global Stocktake (GST) Guidance for the NDCs 3.0 through a request directed to the UN Climate Change Regional Collaboration Centre for the Caribbean (RCC Caribbean). Based on this request, RCC Caribbean delivered two online technical sessions. Overview The GST outcome agreed upon 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. The GST invited organizations in a position to do so and the secretariat, including through its Regional Collaboration Centres (RCCs), to provide capacity-building support for the preparation and communication of the next NDCs. The RCC Caribbean responded to this call and organized two technical webinars for representatives of the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to support in understanding the GST guidance for the NDCs 3.0. The webinars provided an overview of the UNFCCC’s RCCs and the Paris Agreement and discussed the key GST guidance for NDCs 3.0.   The first webinar provided specific training on understanding the information to facilitate clarity, transparency and understanding (ICTU) requirements for NDCs 3.0. The inclusion of the ICTU elements in the NDCs was first highlighted in Article 4.8 of the Paris Agreement, which states "In communicating their nationally determined contributions, all Parties shall provide the information necessary for clarity, transparency and understanding […]". This was further emphasized in Decision 4/CMA.1.   The second webinar focused on the accounting approaches for NDC 3.0. In this case, the inclusion of the accounting approaches for NDCs was highlighted in paragraph 168 of the GST Outcome. The decision states that "…in accounting for anthropogenic emissions and removals corresponding to their nationally determined contributions, Parties shall account for their nationally determined contributions in accordance with the guidance contained in annex II to decision 4/CMA.1;’." Additionally, these technical sessions provided an opportunity for the RCC Caribbean to discuss and identify other areas of support needs of the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines. Importance of the training St Vincent and the Grenadines, like other Caribbean countries, contribute negligibly to the total global greenhouse gas emissions but is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change such as sustained droughts, floods, more intense tropical cyclones, increased coastal erosion and changing precipitation patterns. In response, these countries are committed to global climate goals, including those outlined in the Paris Agreement.   This is a critical time as the next round of NDCs is due this year 2025, requiring new and more ambitious NDCs from countries. 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. The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines is in a better position now to prepare their NDCs based on the training that was provided. The RCC Caribbean will continue to actively engage with Caribbean countries on their NDCs, including the hosting of knowledge sharing events, informative dialogues and workshops on relevant climate topics, and create knowledge products that can support countries in meeting their climate commitments. More information and the available resources on the capacity building event can be accessed here.   The RCC Caribbean would like to thank Ms. Janeel Miller-Findlay, Director of the Sustainable Development Unit within the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture and her staff for participating in the training. We would also like to acknowledge the contributions of the UNFCCC NDC Technical Support Unit and the Transparency Division for their contributions in the preparation of the technical sessions.  

    RCC Caribbean co-organized a webinar: Demystifying Carbon Pricing: A Key Instrument for Tackling Climate Change
    The RCC co-hosted a webinar to enhance understanding of carbon pricing in Guyana

    On 22 August 2024, RCC Caribbean and the Issue-based Coalition (IBC) for Climate Change and Resilience in Latin America and the Caribbean co-hosted a webinar aimed at enhancing understanding of carbon pricing for the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Guyana and facilitating discussions on Article 6's role in harmonizing international carbon markets.  Background As countries prepare for a new submission cycle of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0) to meet the temperature targets outlined in the Paris Climate Change Agreement, there is increasing momentum to implement carbon pricing as a strategy for reducing emissions and promoting investment in cleaner alternatives. Various stakeholders, including economists, businesses, governments, NGOs, and international organizations like the World Bank and IMF, advocate for carbon pricing as a crucial tool for transitioning to a low-carbon economy. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasized the need for significant progress in this area. By placing a price on carbon, governments can signal to investors the value of low-carbon investments while allowing polluters to choose between reducing emissions or continuing their activities at a cost. Guyana, with approximately 18.4 million hectares of forest, has emerged as a leader in monetizing its forest climate services, signing a landmark agreement with Norway in 2009 that generated over $200 million. The country plans to sell $750 million in REDD+ credits by 2030. Guyana's Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 aims to capitalize on ecosystem services and integrate its forest climate services into international carbon markets, particularly those aligned with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Against this backdrop, the RCC Caribbean and IBC on Climate Change and Resilience to facilitate enhancing understanding of carbon pricing for Guyana and facilitating discussions on Article 6's role in harmonizing international carbon markets. Objectives Deepen the comprehension of carbon pricing mechanisms and their role in global climate action. Showcase Guyana's leadership in carbon pricing, including the submission of the Article 6.2 Initial Report and the use of emissions reductions projects to benefit local communities. Discuss the integration of carbon pricing into national policies and market-based approaches like REDD+. Emphasize the strategic importance of Article 6 for leveraging international carbon markets. Target Audience The session attracted over 30 attendees. Representatives from the UN system, including the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Guyana, UNEP, UNDRR and UNFCCC. Key outcome Provided information on carbon pricing instruments and their role in the implementation of NDCs. Provided knowledge of Article 6 instruments and the strategic. Outlined Guyana's 2030 Low Carbon Development Strategy and the use of international carbon markets to achieve national climate goals.

    Unlocking sustainable future in SIDS, co-organized by RCC Caribbean
    Unlocking sustainable future in SIDS

    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 Cuba Article 6 Workshop
    Building effective implementation capacity while Introducing a cooperative approach for Article 6 

    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: NDCs Webinar for Caribbean region
    2025 NDCs: Caribbean Partners Stocktaking Meeting

    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.

    LACCW 2022 Banner TEST
    Host an event at Latin America and the Caribbean Climate Week 2023 - Expression of Interest

    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:  

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