Last month, the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH), in partnership with the Government of Fiji’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, conducted a Climate Finance Write-shop in Suva, Fiji. Among the professionals gathered for the learning event were key stakeholders from the governments of Fiji, Tuvalu, Nauru, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia
A write-shop offers an opportunity to have capacity-building followed by in-person guidance to help craft successful climate finance proposals. The robust attendance by government officials at the event reflected a collective commitment to enhance climate finance capabilities. Attendees were able to deepen their understanding of international climate finance mechanisms and help them to address the unique challenges and opportunities in their respective countries.
This initiative was strengthened by partnerships with The Pacific Community (SPC), the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), the GIS project being implemented by the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT), and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
While opening the workshop, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in Fiji, Dr Sivendra Michael, highlighted the importance of climate finance for people in the Pacific region. Dr Michael referenced a UNFCCC report which said that nearly US $6 trillion is required to implement climate action plans by 2030. The quote from the report stated:
“Accessing climate finance is about addressing livelihoods and about the lives we can save by channelling our money to build resilience against climate change.”
The write-shop was designed to empower participants to:
- Gain an understanding of the landscape of international climate finance mechanisms and the process of accreditation;
- Understand the elements of bankable investment proposals for climate finance, including the logic of environmental and social safeguards;
- Understand the application of Earth Observation and Geospatial Data in proposal development;
- Develop project ideas and develop a roadmap to take forward the project Ideas to full proposals.
In the lead-up to CHOGM 2024, the Commonwealth Secretariat has reaffirmed its support helping small island states to access financing for climate change initiatives. The Commonwealth Secretary General, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, KC, in her address to the delegates said:
“The Commonwealth has a long history with environmental leadership. Helping our member states to rise to the challenge of climate change is central to the mandates of our heads of government and a pivotal priority for me as Secretary-General. A proper response to climate change is contingent upon having adequate resources.”
The participants were grateful for the training as they were able to get information from experts directly. One of the attendees noted: “The training in general was well coordinated and facilitated. It has been a great learning experience.”
The Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub helps countries to unlock the available climate finance. Through this initiative, small and vulnerable member states are supported to create strong proposals to benefit from increased access to climate finance.
Find out more about the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub
Media contact
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Charmaine Wright Head of Media Relations, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
- +44 20 7747 6242 | E-mail
