In the UNFCCC context, capacity-building refers to the process of strengthening the abilities of countries, particularly developing countries, to effectively respond to climate change. This involves enhancing knowledge, skills, institutions, and resources, e.g. training, guidelines and toolkits, to support climate adaptation, mitigation, technology transfer, financial access, research, education, public awareness, transparency and other climate-related topics. Capacity-building is guided by principles of country ownership and needs-based approaches, ensuring that countries can implement climate policies and fulfill their commitments under the Convention and the Paris Agreement.  

Capacity-building in the UNFCCC process has evolved since the adoption of the Convention in 1992.

Key decisions and milestones

1992, 1997: Capacity-building, the Convention and its Kyoto Protocol

Credit: UN Climate Change

Article 6 of the Convention, emphasized the importance of education, training, and public awareness in addressing climate change. It recognized that for effective mitigation and adaptation efforts, there is a need to promote and facilitate these aspects at national, subregional, and regional levels. Article 4, called on governments to promote and cooperate on education, training and public awareness related to climate change and encourage the widest participation in this process.

Article 10(e) of the Kyoto Protocol reinforced this commitment, emphasizing the need to develop and implement education and training programs. It also called for strengthening national capacity building—particularly human and institutional capacities—in developing countries and promoting public awareness and access to climate change information at the national level.

2001, 2005: Frameworks for Capacity-building

In 2001, the COP adopted two frameworks to guide capacity-building activities related to the implementation of the Convention: decision 2/CP.7 for developing countries (non-Annex I Parties) and 3/CP.7 for countries with economies in transition (EITs).

In 2005, CMP decided that the capacity-building frameworks are also applicable to the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol (decisions 29/CMP.1 and 30/CMP.1).

Every five years, the SBI conducts a comprehensive review of the implementation of the frameworks for capacity-building in developing countries and EITs. The fifth review of the framework for capacity-building in developing countries will take place in 2025 and 2026 for EITs.

2011: The Durban Forum on capacity-building

At COP 17, Parties established the Durban Forum on capacity-building. The forum is an annual in-session for in-depth discussion on capacity-building with the participation of Parties, representatives of the relevant bodies established under the Convention, and relevant experts and practitioners, to share their experiences and exchange ideas, best practices and lessons learned regarding the implementation of capacity-building activities.

2012: Launch of the Capacity-building Portal

The Capacity Building Portal was established as a centralised platform for compiling and sharing useful capacity-building resources to support developing countries in their climate action.

2015: Capacity-building in the Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement (Articles 11 and 12) emphasised enhancing capacities for developing countries, particularly LDCs and SIDS, to take effective climate change action. This includes, inter alia, implementing adaptation and mitigation actions, facilitating technology development, dissemination and deployment, access to climate finance, relevant aspects of education, training and public awareness, and transparent, timely and accurate communication of information. It also called for developed countries to increase support for capacity-building actions in developing countries.

At COP 21 the Paris Committee on Capacity-building (PCCB) was established to identify and address capacity-building needs and gaps in developing countries. The PCCB also aims to enhance coordination and coherence in capacity-building activities under the Convention. Each year, the PCCB focuses on a specific theme or area to facilitate technical exchange and strengthen capacity-building efforts.

2019: Initial institutional arrangements for capacity-building under the Paris Agreement

In 2019, the CMA agreed on the initial institutional arrangements for capacity-building under the Paris Agreement. As part of this decision, the PCCB was designated to serve the Paris Agreement, in line with its mandate and terms of reference established under the COP. CMA 2 also encouraged the PCCB to work closely with other constituted bodies under the Convention and the Paris Agreement to address both current and emerging capacity gaps and needs, in implementing capacity-building in developing countries and to enhance the coherence and coordination of capacity-building efforts.