Climate Change Regional Activity Centre (CC/RAC)
A Regional Activity Centre of the UNEP/MAP – Barcelona Convention System
The United Nations Environment Programme / Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP) is the first Regional Seas Programme established under UNEP. In 1976, the Barcelona Convention was adopted by the Mediterranean coastal countries and the European Union, thereby committing themselves to the protection of the marine and coastal environment of the Mediterranean. The MAP system operates within a structured framework composed of the Contracting Parties, a Coordinating Unit, and Regional Activity Centres (RACs) with specific thematic mandates.
These components constitute the foundational pillars of the Barcelona Convention system. Through their respective areas of expertise, the RACs contribute to building the necessary knowledge and capacity for the effective implementation of the Convention, while also enabling a shared vision and spirit of cooperation among the Contracting Parties.
The Mediterranean region is internationally recognized as a global climate change hotspot, facing increasingly severe and diverse impacts. The need to establish a dedicated Regional Activity Centre on climate change under the UNEP/MAP system was first expressed at the 22nd Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, held in Antalya. During the same meeting, Türkiye officially declared its intention to host this Centre. This development underscored once again the necessity of strengthening the regional climate governance framework.
About CC/RAC
The Climate Change Regional Activity Centre (CC/RAC) is the newest RAC under the UNEP/MAP system. It was officially established through a unanimous decision adopted at the 23rd Meeting of the Contracting Parties (COP23) to the Barcelona Convention, held on 6 December 2023. The Centre operates with the financial support of the Republic of Türkiye and is based in Istanbul.
As the impacts of climate change intensify across the Mediterranean region, CC/RAC aims to become a key actor in advancing climate adaptation and mitigation policies and actions at regional and sub-regional levels. In alignment with the Barcelona Convention and the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD), the Centre will support Contracting Parties and regional stakeholders in integrating climate resilience into environmental governance, monitoring, and policy planning processes.
The decision on the establishment of the CC/RAC can be accessed here.
