As an island nation, Antigua and Barbuda is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and, despite recent classification as a middle-income country, pockets of poverty heighten this risk for some parts of society. Recognising this challenge, the Sustainable Island Resource Framework (SIRF) Fund was established in 2019 as a financial vehicle to deliver climate and environment-related projects and programmes both domestically and across the Eastern Caribbean.
Read publication -
The SIRF Fund Gender-Responsive Blended Financing Window: Synthesis Report
Main page for this area of work
Health Ministers, senior government officials, global health leaders and advocates will join the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland KC, for the 36th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (36CHMM). The meeting will be held on 24 and 25 May 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland, on the margins of the 77th World Health Assembly.
The Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH) announced this week that it will be further expanding its network of experts available to member countries.
Read news -
Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub grows from strength to strength
A new Commonwealth e-learning course launched today will improve the ability of small and other vulnerable states to access billions of dollars in climate finance.
Read news -
Commonwealth launches e-learning course to help countries access billions in climate finance
Blog by Micheala Chan and Angelos Pastras, the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Youth Action Group.
Education is the cornerstone of the energy transition. In an era dominated by social media, young people are uniquely positioned to leverage their influence to build public consciousness around energy challenges, shape public awareness and garner support for climate and energy policies. Movements such as School Strike for Climate provide a prime example, exemplifying the power of young people to effectively advocate for climate action.
Read news -
Blog: Empowering Youth for the Sustainable Energy Transition
Education is the cornerstone of the energy transition. In an era dominated by social media, young people are uniquely positioned to leverage their influence to build public consciousness around energy challenges, shape public awareness and garner support for climate and energy policies. Movements such as School Strike for Climate provide a prime example, exemplifying the power of young people to effectively advocate for climate action.
The Commonwealth Blue Charter Project Incubator today announced funding for four pioneering government-led projects in Commonwealth countries.
Read news -
Commonwealth incubator announces funding for ocean sustainability projects
Young people, who are among those most at risk to the impacts of climate change, are not accessing the funds they need to tackle the challenges posed by global warming, according to a report published today.
Read news -
Climate funding for young people inadequate, says new report
The Commonwealth, in collaboration with the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA) and the UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) held a high level panel discussion today to highlight new and emerging finance for sustainable investment in the ocean.
Read news -
Emerging investment streams will unlock blue economy potential
Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, has made her strongest statement yet on the urgency of the compound global crises unfolding as a result of climate change.
Read news -
Decisive climate action, rooted in sharp honesty is needed now – Secretary-General
Youth leaders representing the Commonwealth’s 56 countries have urged leaders at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai to move beyond speeches and deliver concrete action to safeguard the planet.
Read news -
Commonwealth youth leaders want action, not just rhetoric at COP28
Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patrica Scotland KC, today launched a toolkit to help governments rapidly decarbonise their oil and gas sectors and implement strategies to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Read news -
Commonwealth launches pioneering toolkit for speeding up oil and gas decarbonisation
A new model law launched today by the Commonwealth Secretariat will help countries implement a carbon tax to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global heating to 1.5°C.
Read news -
Commonwealth carbon tax model law launched to help countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions
The Commonwealth Secretariat and global health non-profit PATH today announced a new accelerator to fast-track the development of promising innovations that address the extreme effects of climate change on health systems and the health of communities across the 56 Commonwealth countries.
Read news -
Commonwealth and PATH launch new accelerator to support climate and health innovations
A new implementation framework was launched today to facilitate coordinated action among the 56 Commonwealth countries on land, biodiversity and climate challenges, directly impacting a quarter of the world’s land area.
Read news -
Commonwealth unveils framework for implementing Living Lands Charter
A new action group announced in Dubai today will help Commonwealth countries rapidly cut emissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane as part of wider efforts to keep rising global temperatures within liveable limits.
Read news -
Commonwealth announces action group to drive rapid cuts in planet-heating methane emissions
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, today convened a high-level panel on the margins of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change COP28 in Dubai on Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Climate Action and Youth Empowerment.
Read news -
Commonwealth-NVIDIA partners leverage artificial intelligence for climate action and youth empowerment
The Wildfire-Resilient Landscapes Network was launched at a reception attended by His Majesty King Charles III, on 30 November ahead of the start of COP28, in Dubai.
Read news -
Wildfire-Resilient Landscapes Network launched ahead of COP28
The Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, will lead the Commonwealth delegation at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai to call for accelerated action on the climate crisis in light of intensifying threats to small and vulnerable member countries.
Read news -
‘No more excuses’: Commonwealth Secretary-General will call for accelerated action on climate crisis at COP28
Daily highlights from the Commonwealth Secretariat at COP28
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.
Read news -
The Commonwealth at COP28
30 November 2023 to 12 December 2023
(GMT)
Event
The 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – or the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 – will take place from 30 November to 12 December 2023, at Expo City Dubai, UAE.
Government officials from six emerging oil and gas producers in Africa gathered recently in Senegal to examine tangible actions they could undertake, as to minimise greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector.
Read news -
Resource-rich African countries target emissions reductions in energy sector with Commonwealth support
Climate action has been recognised as the most significant opportunity in the 21st century to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which guide the global, regional and national development efforts of governments worldwide.
Read news -
Blog: Climate action and sustainable development – Aligning the Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030
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.
Read news -
Commonwealth environment and climate ministers meet for first time to chart a course towards stronger climate action
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.
Read news -
Commonwealth Secretary-General to intensify climate finance campaign at Africa Climate Summit