RCC Latin America in 2024

Credit: UN Climate Change

In 2024, the Regional Collaboration Centres (RCCs) continued to support countries in achieving climate goals under the Paris Agreement with a view to bridging regional action with global ambition.

Their efforts have primarily focused on technical assistance and capacity building, facilitating access to support for the development and submission of NDCs 3.0 and advancing participation in Article 6 under the Paris Agreement. The RCCs have worked closely with national governments, private sector actors, and multilateral institutions to provide trainings, knowledge-sharing opportunities, and policy guidance tailored to regional needs. They have strengthened support towards adaptation related issues, including the formulation of implementable National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and transformational adaptation. The RCCs also supported stakeholders in their endeavors to access climate finance to implement their projects, and to prepare their Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) under the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF).

In this context, RCC Latin America prioritized three main areas of work - see below their highlights. For more details, please visit the RCC Latin America webpage.

1. Accelerating NDC 3.0 implementation, transparency, and implementation of Article 6 and carbon pricing policies through tailored in-country support to bridge the gap within the region.

Credit: Wokandapix/Pixabay

RCC Latin America supported 7 countries in the development of their NDC 3.0 submissions and alignment with the Global Stock-take (GST). They also facilitated 33 events and webinars focused on carbon pricing and Article 6 readiness, strengthening market-based approaches and transparency. Furthermore, the RCC helped enhance transparency by assisting countries in submitting Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) and advancing NAPs. The RCC also mobilized financial & in kind contribution from ECLAC and CPA to jointly support A6 negotiators in the region.

2. Promoting regional collaboration through partnerships with multiple types of stakeholders.

Credit: Bob Dmyt/Pixabay

The RCC strengthened partnerships with UNEP, UNDP, NDCP, and other UN entities through DCO and UNCTs to drive adaptation and mitigation efforts. The RCC also co-delivered key events fostering regional collaboration with partners like Climate Promise, ECLAC, and other climate-focused organizations. RCC Latin America also facilitated engagement across sectors through strategic partnerships, advancing collective climate action and forged a formal collaboration with the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP) for the production of an Article 6 Readiness Report and the publication of a dashboard. The RCC also established a roadmap for collaboration with the private sector from the sugar cane production industry.

3. Expanding collaboration with multilateral development banks and other non-party stakeholders.

RCC LATAM strengthened collaboration with key multi-lateral development banks (MDBs) to support countries in accessing finance for the implementation of NDC 3.0 and adaptation projects. In particular, RCC LATAM engaged strategically with CAF and CABEI to advance carbon pricing mechanisms and enhance Article 6 readiness across the region. These efforts aim to align climate finance initiatives with regional priorities and foster a stronger foundation for cooperative climate action. This work builds on an earlier collaborative roadmap developed with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which established a clear framework for coordinated support to countries in the region

Image by Nattanan Kanchanaprat from Pixabay

Credit: Nattanan Kanchanaprat/Pixabay

RCC LATAM also enhanced knowledge sharing and capacity building through strengthened engagement by involving diverse stakeholders, including civil society, youth, sports organizations, and influencers, to facilitate cross-sectoral knowledge exchange. The RCC also promoted best practices in climate action through collaborative platforms, connecting countries with non-party stakeholders. RCC Latin America also supported Panama’s Climate Change Academy for Young Leaders to foster youth engagement in the climate agenda.

Catch a glimpse of the RCCs’ efforts and milestones in action in this video.

RCC Latin America's Partners: in their own words.

Picture of Juan Carlos Monterrey – Special Representative for Climate Change, Ministry of Environment , UNFCCC National Focal Point for Panama

Juan Carlos Monterrey, Special Representative for Climate Change, Ministry of Environment country

In recent years, Panama has positioned itself as a leader in conservation and climate action. Currently, the country is betting on carbon pricing instruments as a cost-effective measure to address the climate crisis.

In this context, RCC Latin America has been a strategic partner for the country by providing support in terms of capacity building through workshops and training programs, promotion of partnerships with key stakeholders, implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and its integration with the NDC. Thanks to this collaboration, Panama has made significant progress in its National Carbon Market.

Panama looks forward to continuing its fruitful collaboration with RCC Latin America, which will surely facilitate the achievement of our climate commitments.

Picture of Allison Bender-Corbett, CCAP Director

Allison Bender-Corbett, CCAP Executive Director

Our recent collaboration with RCC Latin America has given us valuable insights into how Latin American countries are preparing for the operationalization of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The region is demonstrating remarkable global leadership and the urgency required to drive climate action in this critical decade.

As these countries navigate the complexities of Article 6 mechanisms, our findings highlight the critical capacity needs, challenges and requirements for full implementation. These include expanding private sector engagement, clarifying regulatory frameworks, improving access to financing and providing the technological tools necessary to monitor progress and support informed decision-making.

As global leaders, we must seize the opportunity to support and scale these efforts. Now is the time to invest in these solutions, address key gaps and empower countries to meet their climate goals. Together, we can accelerate the implementation of Article 6 and its contribution to a low-carbon future

Luis Miguel Paiz, CEO, Guatemalan Sugar Cane Producers' Association (ASAZGUA)

The collaboration between Asazgua and the UNFCCC's Regional Collaboration Center (RCC) Latin America has been key to transforming climate commitments into concrete actions. Through renewable energy cogeneration, water efficiency and carbon footprint measurement, Guatemala's sugarcane sector has positioned itself as a benchmark in sustainability.

Key Milestones in 2024

- Climate policies and carbon markets (February): RCC highlighted Asazgua's progress in updating the NDC 2025 and exploring carbon markets.

- Sectorial training (July): Course with UNFCCC, IICA and UNEP experts on NDCs and climate resilience.

- Climate Action Week (September): Asazgua led discussions on carbon footprint and decarbonization opportunities.

- Participation in COP29 (November): Presentation of nature-based solutions, renewable energy cogeneration and alignment with global climate strategies.

Building a Sustainable Future

The joint work between Asazgua and RCC demonstrates that sustainability is not only a commitment, but an engine of transformation. Guatemala's sugarcane agribusiness is leading the way towards cleaner, more efficient and resilient production, becoming a regional example of how climate action and economic development can move forward together.