"Many of us from small island states, low-lying coastal states and least developed countries face the greatest challenges, yet have contributed least to the problem of climate change.” Commonwealth Climate Change Declaration, Port of Spain, 2009
The planet’s natural resources face grave threats from climate change and human overexploitation. Once plentiful resources such as the Commonwealth's fisheries today risk collapse as global warming continues to wreak havoc on ecosystems and governments fail to constrain our appetite for consumption.
Guided by key Commonwealth policy instruments such as the Port of Spain Climate Change Consensus, we promote proactive attempts by civil society and public organisations to improve the management of their natural resources and safeguard sustainable livelihoods for dependent communities.
In commissioning research, we aim to increase understanding of not only changing human practices, but also the ripple effects of subtle and dramatic changes in the environment. Engaging young people and old across the Commonwealth, we help to establish inclusive and broad based forms of environmental governance.
We work in partnership with our member governments on biodiversity conservation projects such as the Darwin Initiative and the Commonwealth Fisheries Programme. We also organise high-level conferences on issues such as forestry and seek to promote new technologies to aid climate change adaption.