Senior leaders from 21 sovereign wealth funds, managing over a trillion dollars in assets, gathered this week at the Commonwealth’s Headquarters in London to discuss scaling up investment to limit climate change.
Read news - Sovereign wealth fund leaders explore investing to achieve the Paris Agreement Main page for this area of work
Commonwealth countries are breaking new ground with innovative financial deals that are cutting the cost of their national debt, while unlocking funds for vital marine conservation.
Read news - Commonwealth countries pioneer ocean-based debt-for-nature swapsEach year, around 20 million tonnes of plastics end up in our rivers, lakes and seas. That’s equivalent to the weight of 20,000 cargo ships. It is waste that can take hundreds of years to decompose and it is altering our ecosystems and wildlife and impacting human health.
Read news - Commonwealth meeting in Nairobi seeks to advance global treaty on plastic pollutionIn a move to bolster treaty negotiations for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the UK Government through the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have convened a training programme for Commonwealth government officials.
Read news - Commonwealth Secretariat and UK Government Collaborate on Training Ahead of Key Plastics Treaty NegotiationsThe search for the next winners of The Earthshot Prize 2026 has begun!
Read news - Commonwealth Secretariat invites expressions of interest for the 2026 Earthshot PrizeBy Dr Ruth Kattumuri and Brenda Wagaba
The United Nations report (United Nations, 2023) is part of the global stocktake for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) toward achieving these goals by 2030.
Read news - Blog: Toward Achieving Access to Clean water and ensuring quality sanitation (SDG6): Innovations of Sulabh InternationalThe United Nations report (United Nations, 2023) is part of the global stocktake for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) toward achieving these goals by 2030.
21 September 2023 to 22 September 2023
Conference
The first Commonwealth Environment and Climate Ministers Meeting (CECMM) will be held on 21 September 2023 (3PM - 6PM New York time), alongside the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in New York.
8 August 2023 to 8 August 2023
Webinar
Join the Commonwealth Blue Charter in celebration of International Youth Day as we showcase youth-led ocean action and unlock the potential of youth as future leaders in ocean and marine conservation.
The ocean is facing unprecedented challenges, from plastic pollution and overfishing to climate change and habitat destruction. As the custodians of the future, young people have a critical role to play in addressing these issues and shaping a sustainable future for our ocean.
Read news - Blog: "We need all hands on deck" - Commonwealth youth call for ocean action Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are taking the lead in promoting responsible trade in sustainable fisheries by fostering collaboration and sharing successful strategies.
Read news - Small island states pave the path to sustainable fish tradeThe Commonwealth Secretariat has unveiled a new publication to support member countries in accessing finance for clean energy systems.
Read news - New Commonwealth guide to help countries access clean energy financing7 June 2023 to 7 June 2023
Webinar
In celebration of World Ocean Day, the Commonwealth Blue Charter, in partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, will be spotlighting women in ocean sciences, from a policy, education, and community perspective.
A study published by the Commonwealth Secretariat has highlighted the potential for the East African Community (EAC) to establish a billion-dollar ‘green steel ecosystem’ and secure a profitable but less carbon-intensive steel industry for the region.
Read news - Commonwealth study points to green steel opportunity in East AfricaJoin the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition (CSET): Children and Youth Challenge! Details about eligibility and how to enter are below. The deadline for submissions was 10 September 2023 and is now closed.
Energy and Me focuses on how our transition to clean energy is being implemented, and on how children can play their part both now and in the future.
Read publication - Energy and MeThis book written for children aged 7–12 looks at some of the vast possibilities for clean, renewable energy across different countries and terrains.
Read publication - The Energy Around UsThis book explores how we get energy and how it is used, and charts the journey from traditional energy sources towards clean, renewable ones. Taking a global view while remaining grounded in young readers’ everyday lives, it considers why this transition is happening, and explains why no one must be left behind in the process.
Read publication - Roads to Clean EnergyAchieving universal access to affordable, reliable energy and increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix requires fundamental, rapid and large-scale shifts towards new technologies.
Read publication - Technology and Innovation in Sustainable Energy TransitionCommonwealth member countries rich in natural gas face complex policy choices and trade-offs concerning the need to generate maximum benefits from those natural gas resources while also transitioning to a low-carbon economy. While taking account of diverse and conflicting views on the subject, this report offers succinct and holistic guidance to inform these countries’ choices and help them achieve their development and climate change goals.
Read publication - Natural Gas Development in Low-Carbon Energy TransitionSteel remains globally foundational for economic and human development. It underpins all sectors of any growing economy, including infrastructure, energy, construction and both capital and consumer goods manufacturing. Steel is also a critical component in green technology, with recycled scrap steel already an integral component of modern steel, which helps close the loop for proactive circular economy transitioning towards decarbonisation. There is no substitute for steel in the foreseeable future.
Read publication - Towards a Green Steel Ecosystem in the East African Community24 May 2023 to 26 May 2023
Conference
The 3rd biennial Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Forum will take place in at the Commonwealth Secretariat headquarters in London from 24 - 26 May, under the theme “Aligning Ambition and Action towards Implementing an Inclusive Energy Transition.”
Small island developing states (SIDS) are looking increasingly to renewable energy sources for their energy needs.
Read news - Blog: Unleashing the power of renewable energy for small island nationsThree Commonwealth young people have been announced as winners of a global competition designed to inspire, empower, and reward young people taking action on oceans.
Read news - Three young people announced as winners of Commonwealth-wide competition on Ocean protectionThis Guidance highlights the following key issues associated with decommissioning which have significant implications for governments:
This handbook has been developed to support government officials in Commonwealth member countries in the effective review, approval, and oversight of Field Development Plans (FDPs).