Commonwealth Foundation tag line
Mount Kilimanjaro, Kenya. Rebecca Nduku / © Commonwealth Secretariat

Climate change in the Commonwealth

In support of Commonwealth declarations on climate change, we promote action and the pursuit of adaption strategies by civil society groups. 

In 2007 at Lake Victoria in Uganda, Commonwealth leaders unanimously declared that they were gravely concerned about the threat represented by climate change to human security and economic well-being.

The Lake Victoria Action Plan invited civil society organisations to play a full part in promoting understanding of climate change and its effects. Member states concluded that effective action will only be possible with the willing support of the population as a whole.

Two years later in Trinidad and Tobago, governments reaffirmed in the Port of Spain Climate Change Consensus their commitment to pursue adaption and mitigation strategies, recognising that ‘urgent and substantial action’ is required to tackle carbon emissions.
 

Gender and the role of faith

We focus on creating awareness and planning for adaptation to climate change, particularly with socially marginalised communities in vulnerable locations, and organise high-level briefings and conferences.

Leveraging the strengths of our governance, human rights, education and culture programme areas, we help mobilise professional associations to address issues of policy making and governance. We examine climate effects on gender and the role of faith in climate change adaptation.

We seek to enable civil society organisations to influence national and international strategies for climate change adaptation. In support of global solutions, we promote the development of new technologies, networking and knowledge sharing through our grant making.
 

 

  Search Search logo

Recent highlights

> A free and well-informed media is essential to overcoming misinformation and denial on the science of climate change and it implications. We have supported skills training for journalists from developing countries to improve their skills and expertise.

> In October 2009, UK Climate Change Secretary of State Ed Miliband joined a Commonwealth Conference on Faith and Climate Change which looked at empowering communities to tackle the social, political, cultural and economic issues thrown up by climate change.

> The Kiribati Islands have been and continue to be severely affected by climate change. Listen to this podcast for a first-hand account: "The impact of climate change on the Kiribati Islands"

Photo of hands on a globe