The Commonwealth
Categories: Access to climate change funding for health, Health National Adaptation Plans, Action Plans for sustainable low carbon health systems
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries. It is home to 2.7 billion people and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Thirty-three (33) of our members are small states, including many island nations. Their member governments have agreed to shared goals covering development, democracy, and peace; values and principles that are expressed in the Commonwealth Charter. The Commonwealth shares history dating back to the British Empire, but today any country can join the modern Commonwealth.
The Living Lands Charter, adopted in Kigali, 2022, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), is an ambitious agreement adopted by all 56 Commonwealth countries to work in partnership towards sustainable land management by integrating the targets of the three Rio Conventions. Achieving joint implementation is essential for many Commonwealth member states at the forefront of climate change.
The Charter also provides a framework for delivering the Climate-Health Nexus, recognizing it as a cross-cutting issue. Additionally, the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH) supports small and vulnerable states in securing funding to address climate-related challenges, including those at the intersection of climate and health.
Supporting the following commitments:
- Commitment 2: Develop a health national adaptation plan (HNAP) informed by the health V&A, which forms part of the National Adaptation Plan.
- Commitment 3: Use the V&A and HNAP to facilitate access to climate change funding for health.
- Commitment 6: Develop an action plan or roadmap by a set date to develop a sustainable low carbon health system (including supply chains).
Country experience:
Maldives: 1, 2, and 3
Seychelles: 1, 2, and 3
Grenada: 1 and 2
Links:
Site in English: thecommonwealth.org/