Working with other organisations and missions

We work with a wide range of partner organisations in this area. These include United Nations partners such as UN Habitat and the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, regional organisations, the private sector, young people and other Commonwealth organisations such as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Commonwealth Forestry Association.

• In August 2008 we organised a meeting for young people who developed a position paper on climate change (Click here for link). The paper outlines a youth perspective on climate change and the role of youth in addressing this global challenge. It will be used to mobilise youth organisations around the Commonwealth and establish a common position on climate change and youth. The young people also established a youth-led climate change network to continue their advocacy work. Partners included the Commonwealth Foundation which promised to work alongside youth in engaging the wider civil society on climate change.
• After meetings with Commonwealth Parliamentarians we put together a study group on the environment, and an initiative to establish an information network for MPs working on climate change. We have prepared a handbook for Commonwealth Parliamentarians to support their engagement on climate change policy issues. At their annual meeting in Malaysia in August 2008 the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association considered the establishment of a task force of Parliamentarians on climate change issues.
• We have commissioned a study in collaboration with the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development in Geneva on the complex relationship of trade and climate in small states and smaller developing countries. To date, most studies have focused on the concerns of developed countries and large developing countries like Brazil, India and China, so this will be a valuable addition to our understanding. The study is due to be published in the first quarter of 2009.