Latest content: Commonwealth Climate Change Programme

On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York yesterday the Commonwealth marked a historic moment as the inaugural Commonwealth Environment and Climate Ministers Meeting (CECMM) convened, uniting ministers, distinguished speakers, and representatives from Commonwealth member states, partner organisations and stakeholders.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, will seek to ramp up global support for greater climate finance commitments at the Africa Climate Summit, which takes place 4 to 6 September in Nairobi, Kenya.

Othniel Yila is an experienced climate finance practitioner. As the Commonwealth National Climate Finance Adviser for Zambia, he has helped the government secure at least US$21.7 million in climate financing for the country and built the capacity of 130 government officials to tackle climate change.

The International Climate Initiative (IKI) of Germany, also known as the Internationale Klimaschutzinitiative, has announced the approval of two transformative youth-focused projects aimed at tackling climate change in Zambia and Namibia.

Uzoamaka Nwamarah, Adviser, Climate Change and Katherine Blackman, Information and Knowledge Management Officer

Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, joined Caribbean leaders and eminent guests yesterday to celebrate the 50 years of CARICOM’s leadership, unity and progress, while pledging her continued support to the organisation.

As Pacific Island Countries are at the frontline of the impacts of climate change, they need adequate and accessible climate finance, which is necessary for them to implement much-needed projects.

Recently, advisers from the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH) completed a Climate Finance Writeshop in the Solomon Islands to strengthen the skills of climate stakeholders in producing effective concept notes by incorporating earth observation data.

At the 2023 Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Forum, Dr Shavana Haythornthwaite, Head of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Human Rights Unit, highlighted the importance of integrating human rights into the transition to renewable energy. In this blog, she delves into the challenges and opportunities associated with this integration, shedding light on its significance.

Labanya Prakash Jena served as the Commonwealth Regional Climate Finance Adviser, Indo-Pacific Region at the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH) from 2021 to 2023. To date, more than US$8 million in climate finance has been mobilised for the region, with the support of CCFAH. Nearing the end of his tenure, Labanya shares some insights about the region and his work.

More than 70 local stakeholders in Mauritius have completed intensive training in international climate negotiations in the lead up to the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 this November.

Young people, children and educators from all 56 Commonwealth member countries are invited to join a special challenge aimed at harnessing community-led innovations about sustainable energy – the first of its kind for the Commonwealth.

Mxolisi Sibanda has spent close to 20 years working as a natural resources management and conservation expert in the UK and Africa. As an Adviser in the Climate Change Section of the Commonwealth Secretariat, he leads the Secretariat’s work around the Commonwealth Call to Action on Living Lands. He shares some insights about his work below.

The Commonwealth Secretariat’s Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH) deployed National Climate Finance Adviser (CNCFA), Carol Mwape, in May 2021 to facilitate improved access by Namibia to climate finance to meet their priority needs in securing sustainable development. The support is aimed at creating an enabling environment conducive for accessing available climate funds both locally and internationally, and to effectively utilize it for supporting sustainable development efforts.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, visited Vanuatu on April 29th and 30th to address climate justice and climate action issues for the Pacific. Her visit came at a critical time for Vanuatu, which is still recovering from the devastating impact of two Category 4 cyclones, Judy and Kevin, that hit the country in early March.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, has concluded a visit to Australia this week where she held discussions with government officials and civil society representatives on issues ranging from climate action to youth empowerment.

The Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH) continues to expand its support in the African and Indo-Pacific region with the deployment of three Commonwealth National Climate Finance Advisers to Maldives, Nauru and Seychelles.

The Solomon Islands is one step closer to making history with its first-ever fleet of electric buses, in line with the nation’s ambitious climate target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Human life is sacred and every individual deserves an equal chance in life. We have a common desire, we all want to lead a free, fulfilling existence, with dignity, where our basic needs are met, with opportunities to advance and equal treatment under the law. These are fundamental human rights, protected by international law, which we all have a shared responsibility to protect.

Targeted assessments carried out in Trinidad and Tobago as well as Antigua and Barbuda show that these countries are well prepared to pursue the development of sustainable blue economies, while also facing a range of untapped opportunities and challenges.

Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, will address the Monaco Blue Initiative on 20 March 2023 to advocate for increased international co-operation and action on tackling shared ocean challenges.

Collaborative action is vital to prevent the runaway effects of climate change and loss of biodiversity, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, has told a conference of global leaders and experts on Thursday.

There is a water crisis in Zambia – and it is deteriorating. Climate change has caused rainfall to dwindle, and in drought-prone areas, streams, rivers and lakes are drying up. Women and children are forced to walk longer distances to gain access to clean and safe water, while farmers must deal with lower crop yields and changing seasons. Millions of people’s lives and livelihoods are being impacted.

Photo credit: Clayton Smith/WorldFish

Blog by Martin Barriteau, Commonwealth National Climate Finance Adviser, Tonga