Commonwealth countries have agreed to work for an outcome that is legally-binding at the UN climate change summit in Paris next week.
In a joint declaration at the end of climate change talks that took place in Malta, Commonwealth Heads of Government reaffirmed their commitment to work towards “an ambitious, equitable, inclusive, rules-based and durable outcome of COP21 that includes a legally-binding agreement in the form of a protocol”.
However, an unnamed country expressed reservations on this clause and two others, confirming the difficulty of brokering a meaningful agreement in Paris.
Commonwealth secretary general Kamalesh Sharma refused to name the country, insisting the reason was to preserve unity.
Commonwealth countries agreed to abide by the target to hold the increase in global average temperature below 2 degrees Celsius or 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The unnamed country expressed reservations about this as well.
Commonwealth secretary general Kamalesh Sharma refused to name the country, insisting the reason was to preserve unity
The statement says that Commonwealth countries will work together to achieve an outcome at the Paris summit that will stimulate sustainable economic growth, give a clear signal of the need for deep cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions and support vulnerable states.
A climate finance access hub was also unveiled this evening by Mr Sharma, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Anerood Jugnauth, the Prime Minister of Mauritius.
The access hub will be located in Mauritius and Australia has pledged $1 million. It will give vulnerable countries the ability to access climate financing to make the necessary changes to develop clean energy and combat the effects of climate change.
CHOGM agrees fight against radicalisation
A new Commonwealth unit to fight extremism and radicalisation was agreed upon at today’s retreat of heads of governments.
The UK has pledged $5 million over five years to the unit and Australia $2.5 million.
Commonwealth secretary general Kamalesh Sharma said states expressed concern at the “scourge” of extremist ideologies. The unit will help finance programmes to counter radicalisation, especially among young people.
Leaders also agree that the next CHOGM will be held in the UK.