AFRICAN Commonwealth countries stand to gain access to billions of dollars of climate funding through an e-learning course launched by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, in Dubai on Monday during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28).
The Commonwealth Climate Finance Essentials E-learning Course builds on the extensive experience of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub.
The hub has helped 17 small and vulnerable states in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific to access more than $322 million in climate finance for projects to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
‘The Commonwealth’s e-learning course is a significant step towards helping government officials better understand the complex structures of multi-billion-dollar funds and access the finance they need,’ said Scotland
The course provides a better understanding of complex areas, such as the climate finance landscape, the compliance requirements set by major funders, the financial requisites for accessing funding and the specific needs of vulnerable groups.
Crucially, the course introduces officials to the core elements needed to write a successful application for securing climate finance for projects.
It also provides insights to the use of innovative tools, such as earth observation data, to improve project rationale and navigate red tape.
At the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali, leaders urged developed countries to fully deliver on their commitment to providing $100bn every year in climate finance to help developing nations address challenges posed by climate change.
However, access to funding remains a barrier.
Some small island developing states report spending two to three years to develop a climate project proposal.
This is followed by another year of legal and implementation arrangements before governments receive funds and can start projects.
‘Despite contributing least to the problem, small and vulnerable states are bearing the biggest burden.
‘Increasingly frequent and extreme weather events are causing widespread destruction to livelihoods and infrastructure – and destroying economies,’ the Commonwealth Secretary-General said
‘While the international community is stepping in to provide support, it’s not enough.
‘Small and vulnerable states also need to navigate the demanding conditions necessary for accessing available climate funds,’ she added.
The course is part of a package of resources developed by the Commonwealth Secretariat to support its 56 member countries in tackling the global climate crisis.