Latest content: Commonwealth Climate Change Programme

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

The Commonwealth Secretariat, PATH and the Reaching the Last Mile initiative have begun the drumbeat towards this year’s global climate summit COP28, calling for action to address the harmful impacts of climate change on health.

Blog by Dr Josheena Naggea, Commonwealth youth advocate for ocean-climate action

Blog by Dr Ruth Kattumuri, Unnikrishnan Nair, Labanya Jena and Alexander Lee-Emery

Blog by Vinay Singh, Director of Policy, Ministry of Waterways, Fiji, and Katherine Cooke, Commonwealth Climate Finance Adviser, Fiji

The Commonwealth Secretariat has launched a new best practice guide that will assist policymakers and practitioners across the Commonwealth to integrate gender equality into national climate action.

Blog by Labanya Prakash Jena, Commonwealth Regional Climate Finance Adviser, Indo-Pacific Region

Following two weeks of extensive negotiations at the UN Climate Change Conference COP27, nearly 200 countries have agreed on a set of key outcomes, including the establishment of a fund to address loss and damage due to climate change.

With the growing climate uncertainties and mounting financial needs for climate adaptation and mitigation, member countries across the Commonwealth are keen to see businesses take up a greater role in the fight against climate change.

Blog by Soumik Biswas, Commonwealth National Climate Finance Adviser for Mauritius and Othniel Yila, Commonwealth National Climate Finance Adviser for Zambia

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, has called on member countries to uphold global climate change commitments and take decisive action to tackle the gaps in implementation, ahead of next week’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27).

By Sarmad Shahbaz, Commonwealth correspondent from Pakistan

The world is burning with the global temperature crossing the red line of 1.5 degrees Celsius for living beings. With the last eight years being the hottest ever on record, global decision-makers are working out measures to curb the climatic catastrophes of the present and the future.

Food security is one of the biggest threats facing not only the Commonwealth, but millions of people around the world. Compounded by climate change, soaring food prices and geopolitical issues, millions are at risk of not being able to access necessary nutrition.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, joined African leaders at Africa Climate Week 2022 to discuss Africa’s climate change challenges and regional collaboration towards implementing solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Last week a workshop was held to train senior officials from Africa and the Caribbean to develop financial proposals which will help them raise funds for future climate projects.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General has called for a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to tackle the increasing threat of food insecurity across the world, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict, the climate crisis, and political, social and economic inequalities.

Secretary-General Scotland met with Mauritian leaders to discuss climate action, the cost of living crisis, renewing tourism post-pandemic, opportunities for economic recovery and more.