The 2024 Commonwealth Climate Breakfast focused on building consensus for climate finance targets ahead of COP 29, with significant contributions announced from member states and calls from leaders to address the urgent needs of small and vulnerable nations affected by climate change.
The 2024 Commonwealth Climate Breakfast, held as a key precursor to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), sought to establish a consensus on climate finance objectives leading up to COP 29. Esteemed leaders, including the Prime Ministers of Tonga and Tuvalu, the Vice-President of the Maldives, the Minister for Fisheries and Forests from Fiji, and the Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Mauritius, were present to lend their insights at this significant gathering moderated by Dr. Ruth Kattumuri of the Commonwealth Secretariat. Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, urged the urgency of unlocking climate finance to assist small and vulnerable nations grappling with severe climate-induced challenges. “These shocks cause tremendous economic and human suffering, exacerbating pre-existing vulnerabilities and undermining resilience. The immense physical damage is compounded by the systems and structures which have created such imbalance in our world,” she stated. Secretary-General Scotland highlighted the fiscal constraints faced by these nations, noting that the debt-to-GDP ratio in vulnerable states exceeds the global average due to restrictive global financial regulations. The Commonwealth Climate Finance Action Hub (CCFAH) has made significant strides, unlocking US$366.31 million for vulnerable countries, supported by an initial investment of US$8.5 million. Recent contributions, including US$2.76 million for a new project in Seychelles confirmed by Unnikrishnan Nair of the Commonwealth Secretariat, emphasize the Hub’s effectiveness in channeling climate finance. During the event, Emi Furuya of Canada announced a substantial addition of CA$4.65 million to CCFAH funding, reflecting Canada’s commitment to assisting vulnerable states. She remarked, “Canada’s well-known focus on gender equality is a core component of our international assistance programming around the world. We are pleased to contribute to the Climate Finance Access Hub’s efforts in ensuring that all women and girls, as well as men and boys, are supported from all segments of society and that they are positively impacted by this climate finance funding.” This sentiment was echoed by representatives from Australia and the United Kingdom, affirming their ongoing support for CCFAH. The discussions also set the groundwork for the Commonwealth Secretariat’s efforts at COP29 in Azerbaijan, with strong backing for vulnerable nations indicated by ongoing communications with COP29 President-Designate, HE Mukhtar Babayev. Youth advocate Jevanic Henry emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, “At COP, let’s get it done.” This gathering served as a clarion call for unity and decisive leadership in addressing the climate crisis, particularly for small and vulnerable Commonwealth nations.
The Commonwealth Climate Breakfast serves as a critical platform for dialogue among leaders and climate experts in the lead-up to significant climate conferences, such as COP 29. This annual event is designed to foster collaboration and establish concrete goals regarding climate finance, a pressing need for many small island nations and other vulnerable states disproportionately affected by climate change. The engagement of various stakeholders, including youth representatives and officials from member countries, underscores the collective commitment to advancing climate action and ensuring sustainable support systems for those most in need.
The Commonwealth Climate Breakfast has underscored the urgent need for enhanced climate finance measures for small and vulnerable nations, emphasizing collaborative efforts among member states. With substantial commitments from nations like Canada, Australia, and the UK, the event highlighted the pivotal role of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Action Hub in facilitating access to necessary funds. As the Commonwealth gears up for COP29, the call for decisive leadership and tangible action resonates strongly, reflecting a unified stance on tackling climate challenges that disproportionately impact vulnerable regions.
Original Source: thecommonwealth.org
