Lady Scotland urges Commonwealth members to continue climate action support

Departing secretary general says small island developing states should be given greater access to climate finance

Patricia Scotland, the departing secretary general of the Commonwealth, has described the 56-member-bloc as a powerful force in the battle against climate breakdown, and urged the members to continue her legacy of supporting small and vulnerable countries.

Lady Scotland's two-term tenure began in 2016, shortly after tropical storm Erica destroyed 95% of Dominica's GDP. I came in understanding that this was an immediate threat to human lives, jobs, homes, infrastructure, and our very existence, and urgent action was our only option," she said.