The Manila Observatory (MO) in the Philippines has become the host of the Support Unit for the WCRP Academy, an initiative of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP). MO has established itself as a leader in climate science and research that aid vulnerable communities in sustainable development and climate resilience, across Southeast Asia.
Dr. Ma. Laurice Jamero, Senior Scientist of the Manila Observatory, will manage the Support Unit, leveraging her experience in climate science communication, transdisciplinary research, and community capacity-building.
The establishment of the Support Unit marks the first of its kind in the Global South as a response to the Kigali Declaration’s call for accessibility and equitable investments in climate mitigation.
The WCRP Academy aims to train current and future climate scientists to tackle pressing climate research questions. The Support Unit will facilitate this mission by connecting training providers with users, including early career researchers and practitioners who use climate information for decision-making.
“Recognizing our shared mission to continually capacitate people and communities in climate change science and practice, we at Manila Observatory gladly take on this commitment to serve as the support unit of the WCRP Academy. With others, we look forward to strengthening the hub of the Academy and the many convergences and spinoffs that will arise from this hub,”
Fr. Jose Ramon T Villarin, SJ
Executive Director, Manila Observatory
The partnership between the WCRP Academy and the Manila Observatory aligns with their shared mission of empowering communities in climate change science and practice. The establishment of the Support Unit follows the launch of the WCRP Academy’s website in 2023, which has seen a growing number of training providers contributing to its catalogue.
Interested training providers can find details of how to add their training courses to the catalogue on the Academy website.