Latest content: Environment and climate change

This report identifies a path to improving energy literacy across the Commonwealth, with a particular perspective on the needs of small states and developing countries. The objective is to identify a path to improve overall awareness and literacy that will underpin a transition to diminished climate impacts from energy production and use supported by decision-makers and consumers. ‘Energy literacy’ in this report reflects not only improved understanding of the role and operation of energy ‘systems’, but support for public and private investment in the long-term transition to climate friendly technology that continues to support consumer demand and economic growth.

This report provides a succinct overview of development finance and climate finance, focussing on its provision to Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States within the Commonwealth. It considers the current and potential roles of multilateral development banks and international development financial institutions; tools such as ‘debt for climate’ swaps; and the need to reconsider the use of and balance between debt capital and grants. Finally, the report proposes alternative funding mechanisms and reforms to international financial architecture that could have transformative impacts on capital flows to enable vulnerable developing nations to respond to the effects of climate change and increase their resilience.