30 Nov 2015

Commonwealth heads of government of the 53 member states have expressed concern about the threat posed by climate change.

After lengthy deliberations on climate change issues during sessions held on the sidelines of CHOGM  for over a week, Commonwealth leaders have committed to address climate change under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Having acknowledged that climate change continued to grow and put at risk the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of member states and citizens globally, leaders have submitted 50 Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), whose mitigation components cover 17 per cent of global emissions of greenhouse gases.

They also recognised that the aggregate impact of the INDCs submitted by parties to the convention as an important advance over business as usual.

They further appreciated that collective ambition of mitigation efforts would need to be enhanced over time, with appropriate means of implementation, to hold the increase in global average temperature below two or 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to keep climate resilience within reach.

To demonstrate their commitment to global leadership, they have declared that each of their nationally determined contributions registered in connection with the entry into force in 2020 of the expected 'Paris Agreement' would be at least as ambitious as the corresponding intended contribution.

Leaders have further committed to working towards an ambitious, equitable, inclusive, balanced, rules-based and durable outcome of COP21 that includes a legally-binding agreement in the form of a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force under the convention applicable to all parties, reflecting the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in light of different national circumstances.

Such an outcome, joined and implemented by all parties, would put the global community on track towards low emission and climate-resilient societies and economies.

Commonwealth leaders have also recognised the need to accelerate and intensify efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change in order to ensure sustainable and climate-resilient development.

Commonwealth countries include some of the largest, smallest, wealthiest, poorest and most vulnerable on the planet, and also represent more than one quarter of the parties to the UNFCCC.

Over half of member states are least developed countries, small island developing states or both.

Many of the most vulnerable states and communities are already facing the adverse impacts of climate change, which can roll back decades of development gains.

Some are already suffering significant loss and damage associated with climate change.

Leaders have also unanimously acknowledged that consequences of climate change could be a national catastrophe.

They have also recognised that in their different ways and in varying proportions, member states have all been contributing to climate change. Ends