The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) adopted a Leaders' Statement on Climate Action in which Commonwealth members reconfirm their commitment to negotiate a legally-binding agreement on climate change at the Paris Climate Change Conference that signals the need for deep emission cuts, promotes low-emission and climate-resilient development pathways and raises mitigation ambition over time.
29 November 2015: The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) adopted a Leaders’ Statement on Climate Action in which Commonwealth members reconfirm their commitment to negotiate a legally-binding agreement on climate change at the Paris Climate Change Conference that signals the need for deep emission cuts, promotes low-emission and climate-resilient development pathways and raises mitigation ambition over time.
The Heads of State and Government expressed their commitment to “an ambitious, equitable, inclusive, balanced, rules-based and durable outcome of COP 21 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.”
They further declared that the nationally-determined contributions (NDCs) to be registered with entry into force of the expected Paris agreement in 2020 will be at least as ambitious as the corresponding intended nationally-determined contributions (INDCs).
Furthermore, the leaders commited to an outcome that will, among other objectives: provide a clear signal of the need for deep greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions cuts; encourage NDCs that promote shifts to renewable, clean and low-emission energy, discourage wasteful fossil fuel consumption and promote low-emission and climate-resilient development pathways; support capacity-building in vulnerable states and communities for resilience and adaptation; mobilize finance from developed countries for adaptation and mitigation in developing countries; ensure a robust and facilitative system for accountability and transparency for NDCs, including periodic and regular reviews of collective progress with a view to increasing ambition over time; and accord equal importance to mitigation and adaptation.
The Leaders’ Statement also reflects commitments to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), address global migration challenges, and promote the participation of youth in national development and peace building.
CHOGM was held in Valetta, Malta, from 27-29 November 2015. The meeting was attended by leaders for all 53 Commonwealth member States, including 31 Heads of State and Government. [Commonwealth Leaders’ Statement on Climate Action] [CHOGM Leaders’ Statement] [CHOGM Press Release] [CHOGM 2015 Website] [Commonwealth Secretariat Press Release] [UN Press Release]