The Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon Siaosi Hu’akavameiliku, joined a Commonwealth side event to speak about the potential of AI to support small states in tackling climate challenges. See all photos from Day 1 on Flickr
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, led a team of international policy experts and climate specialists from the Commonwealth Secretariat to COP28.
View the event schedule at the Commonwealth Pavilion and follow #CommonwealthForClimate on social media.
See daily highlights from the Commonwealth Secretariat at COP28 below.
December 10
On Day 10 of COP28, the Commonwealth Secretariat and AGRA joined forces and signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will leverage digital innovations to help transform smallholder agriculture across Africa. Read more about the partnership
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As #COP28 draws to a close, #Commonwealth Secretary-General, @PScotlandCSG, shares her reflections on the past two weeks and the work that must continue to keep the 1.5°C target within reach. ⬇️
— The Commonwealth (@commonwealthsec) December 10, 2023
🔗 https://t.co/ZddrP71Iml#CommonwealthForClimate
📣 #CommonwealthYouth at #COP28 are calling on world leaders to move beyond rhetoric and take urgent action to safeguard their future and the planet.
— The Commonwealth (@commonwealthsec) December 10, 2023
Learn more 👉: https://t.co/modUCu2xpg#CommonwealthForClimate | @ComSecYouth | @CYCNOfficial
December 9
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, delivered her statement to the High-Level Segment of COP28. She urged global action to reduce emissions, accelerate the energy transition and restore the natural world.
Decisive action, rooted in the sharpest honesty is the only way forward, she said. Read more
At a high-level Blue Zone event, the Commonwealth Secretariat launched its joint report with YOUNGO, the official youth and children constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which analysed 100 climate finance initiatives targeted at young people.
The report reveals that while young people are among those most at risk of climate change, they are not accessing the funds they need to tackle its impacts.
Learn more
Read the report: The Availability of Climate Finance for Youth
Catch up with the event recording
🌍 Young people are on the frontlines of climate change, but lack access to vital funding to tackle its impacts.
— The Commonwealth (@commonwealthsec) December 9, 2023
📢 Our joint report with @YOUNGO_UNFCCC launched at #COP28 reveals barriers to youth-led climate action and calls for a 'fit for purpose' approach.
Explore the… pic.twitter.com/FoSblpWnXr
8 December
Day 8 was Youth Day at COP28. Commonwealth youth leaders called on governments to move beyond rhetoric and deliver concrete action to safeguard the planet. Read more
At their intergenerational dialogue with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, they launched a report highlighting their climate concerns and actionable steps for world leaders to engage young people as partners in climate action.
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The Commonwealth Blue Charter also released its new report, 'Blueing the NDCs', to help coastal and island member states in the Commonwealth meet their ocean-based commitments under the Paris Agreement. Learn more
David Arinze, a member of the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Youth Action Group, talks about the vital role of young people in fast-tracking an inclusive and just sustainable energy transition.
7 December
Official rest day at COP28.
6 December
On Day 7 of COP28, the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub hosted a masterclass on Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) with its National and Regional Advisers. They explored strategies to integrate gender mainstreaming at every level of climate action.
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The Commonwealth Blue Charter partnered with the Stimson Center to host a side event on supporting climate-resilient coastal cities. The panellists discussed the findings and recommendations from 'rapid assessments' piloted in Barbados, Kiribati and Sri Lanka.
The rapid assessment tool aims to provide climate risk profiles for coastal cities and small island nations in the Commonwealth within a short amount of time, which can help governments make better-informed decisions and build long-term resilience.
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5 December
On Day 6 of COP28, the Commonwealth Secretariat launched the Commonwealth Carbon Tax Model Law - a powerful resource to help countries implement a carbon tax to reduce emissions and limit global heating to 1.5°C. Read more about it here
The Secretariat also launched a toolkit to help member governments rapidly decarbonise their oil and gas sectors and implement strategies to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Learn more
To mark World Soil Day, Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, also joined UNCCD Executive Secretary, Ibrahim Thiaw, and Sadhguru for a panel on the role of land and soil in building climate resilience.
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UNCCD Land and Drought Pavilion COP28 https://t.co/ZuVEwuGc63
— UN Land and Drought (@UNCCD) December 5, 2023
📸 Moments from #COP28!
— The Commonwealth (@commonwealthsec) December 5, 2023
🔗 See all photos from #Commonwealth events on Flickr: https://t.co/3tEJcxWxJW#CommonwealthForClimate
4 December
On Day 5 of COP28, Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, met with Commonwealth youth leaders to discuss their youth-led climate initiatives that are paving the way for a more sustainable future.
I’m truly uplifted to meet #Commonwealth youth leaders at #COP28.
— Patricia Scotland KC (@PScotlandCSG) December 4, 2023
They – and youth everywhere – are leading the way in the fight against climate change.
Now more than ever we need their ideas, solutions & leadership to safeguard our planet & future. I’ll always stand with them. pic.twitter.com/2myNEVmKOA
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3 December
On Day 4 of COP28, the Commonwealth Secretariat unveiled the Commonwealth Living Lands Charter Implementation Plan. The Living Lands Charter aims to coordinate action among the 56 Commonwealth countries on land, biodiversity and climate challenges, directly impacting a quarter of the world’s land area. Read more
For the first time in the history of COP, health was on the agenda on Day 3 and the Secretariat partnered with PATH to launch an accelerator to support innovations that build climate-resilient health systems and communities. Learn more about it here
Exciting to see the @commonwealthsec commitment to environmental stewardship through the new framework for the Living Lands Charter. A significant step towards sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation and climate. #COP28 #UNited4Landhttps://t.co/wwYmjzuxF3 https://t.co/4K5hU62i3E pic.twitter.com/uChYmmk5zZ
— Ibrahim Thiaw (@ibrahimthiaw) December 4, 2023
Climate change is a threat to the planet and our health.
— The Commonwealth (@commonwealthsec) December 3, 2023
Today at #COP28, the #Commonwealth Secretariat and @PATHtweets announced a new accelerator to support innovations that build climate-resilient health systems and communities.
Learn more ⬇️#CommonwealthForClimate
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See all photos from the Commonwealth Pavilion at COP28 on Flickr
2 December
Globally, one billion people depend on coral reefs for their food and livelihoods. On Day 3 of COP28, the Commonwealth Secretariat joined forces with the Coral Restoration Consortium to launch a Storytelling Hub that will share stories of people protecting and restoring these fragile ecosystems worldwide. Read more
The Secretariat also introduced a new action group to help Commonwealth countries rapidly cut methane emissions as part of our efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Learn more about the action group
Watch event recordings
Emissions must be reduced by 45% by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
— The Commonwealth (@commonwealthsec) December 2, 2023
A new action group announced at #COP28 today will help #Commonwealth countries rapidly cut methane emissions as part of our efforts to keep rising global temperatures within liveable limits.
Read more… pic.twitter.com/jv2Pi1p4Py
1 December
On Day 2 of COP28, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, addressed global philanthropists and business leaders at the inaugural Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum. She called on the private sector to help close the gap on ambition, action and finance to avert the climate crisis.
Climate change affects all 56 countries of the Commonwealth, with the 33 #CommonwealthSmallStates among the most vulnerable to its impacts.
— The Commonwealth (@commonwealthsec) December 1, 2023
As leaders meet at #COP28, the #Commonwealth continues to be a crucial voice for small states.
#CommonwealthForClimate
Glad to address the Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum at #COP28
— Patricia Scotland KC (@PScotlandCSG) December 1, 2023
The gap between where we are & where we need to be is widening. We can’t close this gap - in ambition, action & finance - without the private sector. Work with us more closely to avert the climate crisis. pic.twitter.com/ZASfPmqysm
The Government of Malta and the Secretariat of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) later convened a side event at the Commonwealth Pavilion on building climate adaptation and resilience in Small Island Developing States.
The Secretary-General commended Malta for its long-standing leadership and advocacy for small islands states across the Commonwealth.
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The Commonwealth Secretariat then joined Cambridge University’s Centre for Resilience and Sustainable Development Cambridge University (CRSD) to host a panel discussion on the power of innovative financing mechanisms to tackle the unique climate challenges of Small Island Developing States. Read the full story
Watch to learn more about the 'Their Future, Our Action' project - a collaboration between the Secretariat and CRSD.
30 November
On Day 1 of COP28 in Dubai, world leaders gathered to accelerate global climate action.
As leaders agreed to operationalise the Loss and Damage Fund, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, opened the first event at the Commonwealth Pavilion on leveraging artificial intelligence for climate action and youth empowerment.
The Secretary-General also joined His Majesty The King and indigenous leaders for the launch of the Wildfire-Resilient Landscapes Network - a joint initiative between the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance and the Commonwealth Secretariat to bring together indigenous and scientific knowledge on wildfires to create resilient landscapes.
Watch event recordings
An honour to join His Majesty The King today, as he launched the Wildfire-Resilient Landscapes Network ahead of #COP28.
— Patricia Scotland KC (@PScotlandCSG) November 30, 2023
The #Commonwealth looks forward to this collaboration to build resilient landscapes which can deal with the growing issue of wildfires in a sustainable way. pic.twitter.com/o51OXbSGCt
At a reception hosted by @CommonwealthSec and the @CircBioAlliance, The King has spent time with global and Commonwealth indigenous leaders to hear about the role of using traditional knowledge, alongside scientific knowledge, to address the climate and nature crises. #COP28 pic.twitter.com/WKAbM0HsMb
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 30, 2023
