Commonwealth nations pledge billions

Valletta (Malta), Nov 28 

Ahead of the crucial climate conference in Paris, Commonwealth countries have pledged billions of dollars to fight global warming including the highest $2 billion assistance by Canada to help developing countries limit green-house gas emissions.

At a special session on climate change at the Commonwealth Summit here, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country will help developing nations combat climate change and boost their clean energy production as he pledged nearly two billion US dollars over five years, doubling its previous commitment.

Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat unveiled a $1 billion Commonwealth Green Finance Facility to support environmental projects within the 53-nation bloc, which met in this picturesque Mediterranean island city in South of Europe.

Separately, the UK has committed £21 million for disaster management and £5.5 million for the ocean-based economy. Australia has committed $1 million for a new Commonwealth idea, a Climate Finance Access Hub.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj represented India at the summit of the 53-nation grouping which focused mainly on ways to tackle terrorism and combat climate change.

Commonwealth leaders have agreed to set up a climate change hub to facilitate access to funds for the small and poor countries, a decision which is in sync with India's demand for providing adequate financial resources to developing nations to reduce green house gas emissions.