In 2024, the Central Asia Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2024) delved into critical issues pertaining to water, energy, food security, and environmental sustainability within the context of a climate-affected Central Asia. Participants were apprised of the progress made by Central Asian countries in climate mitigation and adaptation, including their reporting under the Enhanced Transparency Framework, and highlighted significant cross-sectoral initiatives aimed at bolstering climate resilience, exploring climate finance mechanisms, and discussing platforms that facilitate regional and international cooperation in the face of climate challenges.

Rene Van Berkel, ACEBA co-convenor, represented the EU SWITCH Asia Policy Support Component (PSC) during this Conference, hosted by the Regional Environment Centre for Central Asia in Almaty, Kazakhstan. He argued that low carbon and circular innovation in products, services, and technologies is crucial for ambitious climate action, and shared business examples from Southeast and South Asia, demonstrating that such can deliver tangible benefits to business, through cost savings and new business opportunities.