University Network for Climate and Ecosystem Change Adaptation Research (UNCECAR)

About UN-CECAR

The University Network for Climate and Ecosystems Change Adaptation Research (UN-CECAR) was an international initiative that was established at the United Nations University. Tokyo, Japan in 2006.

Bringing together leading universities, researchers, and policymakers, UN-CECAR advanced climate adaptation strategies through education, research, and capacity-building.

Although the program has concluded, its contributions continue to shape climate resilience and sustainability education across the Asia-Pacific region.

UN-CECAR Training Course:
Climate Change Downscaling Approaches

The UN-CECAR Training Course on Climate Change Downscaling Approaches and Applications (CCDAA) equipped participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in climate downscaling.

✅ Why Downscaling?
Global climate models provide broad trends but lack regional accuracy. Downscaling helps translate these global models into precise, localized climate impact assessments.

✅ What Participants Learned:
🔹 Statistical & dynamical downscaling methods
🔹 Hands-on training with climate datasets & software tools
🔹 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for climate impact assessments
🔹 Applications in agriculture (rice production) & flood management

This course empowered researchers and professionals to develop effective adaptation strategies tailored to their local and regional contexts.

Mission & Achievements

UN-CECAR aimed to:
✔ Build capacity in climate change adaptation by integrating science, policy, and practice.
✔ Facilitate knowledge-sharing and interdisciplinary research.
✔ Develop strategies for climate resilience and sustainable development.

Since its inception in 2006, UN-CECAR:
🔹 Engaged 20+ universities and institutions in collaborative research.
🔹 Trained hundreds of professionals and researchers in climate adaptation.
🔹 Developed postgraduate courses and specialised training programs.

📖 UN-CECAR Postgraduate Courses

These specialized courses equipped students with scientific knowledge and practical skills to tackle climate challenges.

1️⃣ Building Resilience to Climate Change (BRCC) 🌍

🔹 Covered climate science, impact assessment, and ecosystem resilience.
🔹 Provided training in GIS & remote sensing for climate research.

2️⃣ Renewable Energy (RE) 🌞

🔹 Explored solar, wind, hydro, bioenergy, and hydrogen technologies.
🔹 Addressed energy security, policy frameworks, and sustainability challenges.

3️⃣ Leadership for Sustainability 🏆

🔹 Trained future sustainability leaders in decision-making and business strategy.
🔹 Covered Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), negotiation skills, and organizational leadership.

Key Activities

📅 Annual Conferences

Brought together global experts, and researchers to discuss the latest advancements in climate adaptation and sustainability.

🛠️ Workshops & Training Programs

Provided hands-on training in climate modeling, disaster risk management, renewable energy, and ecosystem resilience.
Conducted capacity-building programs for professionals and researchers.

📚 Postgraduate Education & Course Development

Designed specialized courses in climate science, renewable energy, and disaster risk reduction.
Delivered training in collaboration with leading universities across Asia.

🤝 International Collaboration

Partnered with over 20 leading universities in the Asia-Pacific region.
Strengthened global networks in sustainability education and research.

🌎 INATE
International Network for Transdisciplinary Education

INATE is a pioneering initiative that builds upon the expertise and experience of UN-CECAR, integrating education, research, and capacity-building for a holistic approach to global challenges.

INATE’s Framework for Transdisciplinary Project Implementation
✔ Research & demonstration projects for real-world problem-solving.
✔ Addressing societal needs, conflict resolution, and stakeholder engagement.
✔ Scaling up from research to real-world development projects.

INATE continues to bridge disciplines, foster collaboration, and advance solutions for climate resilience and sustainability.

📌 Impact of UN-CECAR

Since its start in 2006, UN-CECAR’s resources, research, and training materials have continued to inform academic institutions, policymakers, and professionals working in climate resilience and sustainability.

The knowledge and collaborations fostered by UN-CECAR remain valuable assets for addressing global climate challenges today.