Wishing our readers a Happy New Year 2024!

COP28 was particularly momentous as it marked the conclusion of the first ‘global stocktake’ of the world’s efforts to address climate change under the Paris Agreement. We look forward to strengthening our ties with all partners and stakeholders from the region in our collective journey to unpack and deliver some of the key takeaways from COP 28. 

In 2024, RCC Asia-Pacific will be collaborating with partners to advance both mitigation and adaptation climate strategies in this region.

Your Partner in Climate Action,

RCC Asia-Pacific

Regional Collaboration Centres' presence at COP 28 included many events, and of the 14 mentioned above, 6 were specific side events, They are now available on-demand.

The RCC Asia-Pacific also undertook several initiatives, of which you can find highlights here.

In a significant move to bolster climate action across the Asia-Pacific region, UN Climate Change has renewed their commitments with two regional partners: the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). These strategic partnerships emphasizes the continued efforts to empower nations in their fights against climate change.

The MoU formalized between UN Climate Change and IGES, as the regional host partner of the RCC-AP, will further strengthen the centre's capabilities to deliver more impactful and targeted support to countries.

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell and Professor Kazuhiko Takeuchi from IGES

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell and UNESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Alisjahbana

The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) officially opened its new Bangkok Regional Centre (BRC) on January 19th, signifying its strengthened commitment to tackling environmental challenges in Thailand and the broader Asia-Pacific region through collaborative partnerships.

Notably, the BRC also serves as the new office of the UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Centre for Asia and the Pacific (RCC-AP), solidifying its role in driving regional collaboration towards a more sustainable future. This collaboration with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the UNFCCC underscores the importance of collective action in tackling environmental challenges. 

Among the highlights of the event was the tree planting ceremony, symbolizing BRC's strong support for Bangkok's "One Million Trees" project. This ambitious initiative aims to expand urban green spaces and improve air quality. 

Marshall Islands submitted their National Adaptation Plan in December 2023. 

Some of the plans laid out include putting in place nature-based adaptation, consolidating services on atolls that can be protected as sea levels rise, investments in “hard” and “soft” protective infrastructure, the creation of raised and protected land into new centers, and ultimately, planned relocation to protected areas. 

More information on the latest NAPs submitted

Updated Functions, Work Programme and Modalities of Response Measures Forum

Parties concluded the review of the functions, work programme and modalities of the response measures forum at COP 28 in Dubai.

Among important changes are the inclusion of capacity-building to the work programme areas and the intersessional KCI meeting.

The COP, the CMP and the CMA requested the secretariat to organize a two-day global dialogue on the impacts of the implementation of response measures in 2024 and 2025, for which Parties, observers and non-party stakeholders have been invited to submit their views on possible topics.  

Topics for the Global Dialogue on the Impacts of the Implementation of Response Measures

The COP, the CMP and the CMA invited Parties, observers and non-Party stakeholders to submit their views on possible topics for the global dialogue on the impacts of the implementation of response measures in 2024 via the submission portal by 15 July 2024.

The global dialogue will be convened in the second half of 2024.

The call for submissions can be found in the submission portal, by typing in “response measures” in the search field and selecting tag “2024”.

Any questions related to this call for input can be addressed to MIAS@unfccc.int.

The KCI invited Parties and observers to submit inputs on experience and best practices in reporting and informing on efforts to assess and analyse the impacts of the implementation of response measures, including reporting and informing those outside the UNFCCC reporting requirements, with a view to understanding country’s experience and identifying best practices and gaps in preparing the reports.

The inputs will be discussed by the KCI at its 10th meeting on 30–31 May 2024. More information about this call for input can be found in KCI website. 

The UNFCCC Technology Mechanism has launched an online platform that aims to serve a global pool of professionals, grassroots experts, and indigenous people possessing expertise in gender equality and climate technology

Join today!

This year, we're meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 22 to 25 April, to discuss and drive transformational adaptation through National Adaptation Plans.

Connect with leaders, innovators and changemakers from around the world!

Find out more and register via Linkedin or Email to register: NAPExpo@unfccc.int

Progress in the Formulation and

the Implementation of NAPS 2023

The NAP Progress Report 2023 captures information from reports submitted by Parties to the UN Climate Change secretariat; information shared by countries during NAP country dialogues, NAP writing workshops, the NAP Expo and other events attended by the LEG; information from submitted NAPs and other outputs related to the process to formulate and implement NAPs available on NAP Central; information from approved GCF funding proposals and the summaries of approved and disbursed funding on the GCF website; and information submitted through the online questionnaire on NAPs.

Mapping of Available Sources of Finance for LDCs Adaptation

This new publication highlights relevant sources of finance for adaptation, in response to a decision taken by Parties at COP 26 in Glasgow (15/CP.26), whereby the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) was mandated to share information on relevant sources of finance for adaptation, including sources other than the UNFCCC Financial Mechanism as part of its outreach activities. This information aims to support the least developed countries (LDCs) in their efforts to develop and implement national adaptation plans.

Now Available: Capacity-building

E-booklets for Adaptation and Resilience Resources

The Informal Coordination Group (ICG) has created six thematic e-booklets containing a total of 172 capacity-building resources related to Adaptation & Resilience, Climate Action with focus on effective capacity-building and mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues, Climate Finance, Mitigation, Technology, and Transparency. 

2023 Climate Technology Progress Report Explores Urban Transitions in the Context of Asia

Spearheaded by the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre, and in collaboration with the UN Climate Change Technology Mechanism, this year's report explores progress and sets out analyses and case studies focused on urban transitions in the context of Asia, with a view to enhancing technology development and transfer. 

Find out more! 

The Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MOEJ) held an official side event at COP28, focusing on presenting the Article 6 Implementation Support Package, sharing insights from ongoing Article 6 initiatives undertaken by various countries and organizations, and discussing strategies for effective capacity building for the successful implementation of Article 6.

For more information on the Support Package please click here.