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Collaboration will expand RTI’s and CCCCC’s ability to lead and support locally led solutions to climate change in climate vulnerable regions of the world
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – RTI International, a nonprofit research institute and leading international development organization, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center (CCCCC), an intergovernmental organization established by Heads of Governments of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to coordinate the region’s response to climate change through evidence. The new collaboration will build resilient and sustainable solutions to climate change globally, but particularly in the Caribbean and help improve access to and scale of climate finance for mitigation and adaptation.
“For decades, RTI has worked to develop science-based solutions to address the effects of climate change,” said Paul Weisenfeld, executive vice president for international development at RTI. “To drive real change, we know that climate solutions must be locally led, grounded in data, and advanced through strong partnerships that can implement solutions with a lasting impact. That is why our new partnership with the center is so important. Together, we can achieve more in the pursuit of a more sustainable and equitable future.”
The CCCCC, since its inception in 2005, has mobilized over $280 million and successfully implemented over 50 projects across the Caribbean. The CCCCC is a regional accredited entity to both the Green Climate Fund, the world’s largest climate fund, and the Adaptation Fund and thus serves as an important partner in mobilizing climate finance, on behalf of Member State. The CCCCC, as a Public International Organization to USAID, also implements climate resilient investments in Eastern and Southern Caribbean countries. In the Caribbean, RTI leads the USAID Energy Sector Reform project to bolster climate-resilient energy systems across 13 Caribbean countries under the U.S. Government’s Partnership with the Caribbean to Address the Climate Crisis.
“Strategic partnerships are indispensable to the work of the CCCCC and is key to our achievements to date and this partnership with RTI, whose mission and vision are closely aligned with that of the CCCCC, will greatly assist both organizations in the delivery of its mandate,” said Dr. Colin Young, executive director of the CCCCC. "RTI’s leadership, scholarship and excellence in applied research, with a focus on improving the human condition, coupled with the CCCCC’s expertise, experience and strong performance in helping our Member States pursue climate resilient development, will allow us to scale up the mobilization of climate finance to build resilience and implement innovative and sustainable solution to improve the lives of people.”
RTI and CCCCC will jointly work to respond to emerging issues and build climate resilience, particularly in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The two dozen island nations of the Caribbean, and the 40 million people who live there, are in a state of increased vulnerability to climate change. Higher temperatures, rises in sea level, and increased hurricane intensity threaten lives, property and livelihoods throughout the region.
This new partnership will expand RTI’s ability to lead and support locally led solutions to strengthen the enabling environment for climate finance, help communities build resilience to the effects of climate change, and address emerging issues that SIDS face within the energy-food-water nexus.
