Latest content: Environment and climate change

By Akil Crichlow, Events Officer, International Water Resources Association; Elyse Blondell, Living Lands Charter Intern; and Mxolisi Sibanda, Climate Change Adviser, Commonwealth Secretariat

Every year up to 23 million tonnes of plastics enter water ecosystems, posing serious human and environmental health threats. As negotiations for a legally binding global plastics treaty accelerate, the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance brought together officials from members countries to prepare for these critical negotiations.

For many small and vulnerable states across the Commonwealth, from the Caribbean to the Pacific and the low-lying regions of Africa, climate-related loss is a recurring reality.

By Naadira Ogeer, Head of Energy and Natural Resources; Kartikeya Garg, Assistant Research Officer, and Chilenye Nwapi, Legal Adviser for Natural Resources, Commonwealth Secretariat.

When Stanley Anigbogu heard his name announced as the 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year in London earlier in March, he could hardly believe it. He had not expected to win, especially among a pool of brilliant nominees from across the globe.

Two things separate the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH) from other support mechanisms: its long-term advisory support and capacity-building prowess. Operating in its tenth year, the “Hub” has deployed 40 climate advisers and trained over 3,400 government officials, climate change professionals and young people to navigate the complexities of climate finance.

By Dr Ruth Kattumuri, Senior Director; Reeya Rakchhandha, Assistant Research Officer; Mxolisi Sibanda, Interim Head of Climate Change at the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The Commonwealth Secretariat and United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) this week signed a joint declaration to maximise the solutions that space technology, innovation and collaboration offer. The agreement covers not only climate and environmental resilience but also access to distance learning education opportunities, and equitable access to services. 

The 2nd Commonwealth Blue Charter Ministerial Steering Committee took place on the sidelines of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference held in Nice, France, this week, reinforcing their collective commitment to protecting the ocean and accelerating action under the Commonwealth Blue Charter Action Groups.

The Commonwealth is playing a vital role in advancing the ratification and implementation of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), adopted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 2023, and now coming into focus as countries gather this week in Nice, France, for the UN Ocean Conference.

Delegates at the recent 4th Biennial Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition (CSET) Forum called for increased South-South cooperation to drive just and sustainable energy transitions across the Commonwealth.

Blog by Mxolisi Sibanda, Interim Head of Climate Change, Commonwealth Secretariat

Commonwealth High Commissioners and other member country representatives recently met at Marlborough House for a briefing on the implementation of the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, adopted in Samoa at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The briefing provided member countries with a vision for the Commonwealth at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, to be held in June.

The 4th Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition (CSET) Forum started today at the Commonwealth Secretariat at Marlborough House in London.

By Marcel Le Roux, Strategic Engagement Manager, and Simon Butt-Bethlendy, Public Affairs Manager, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). IOSH is a Commonwealth-accredited organisation and founder member of the Commonwealth Communicators Group.

Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, speaking at the 2025 Innovation Net Zero World Congress 2025.

The Commonwealth Secretariat and UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) today hosted a roundtable on gender and energy security at Marlborough House in London.

Remarks by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, at the Pacific Maritime Ministers Reception on 2 April 2025.

By Dr Gina Maswabi, Commonwealth National Climate Finance Adviser for Sri Lanka

By Uzoamaka Nwamarah, Acting Head, Climate Change, and Dr Nancy Omolo, Commonwealth Climate Finance Gender Adviser

More than 80 experts and partners came together at the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters in London this week to tackle the intersection of food security and climate finance, amid global development spending cuts.