Small jurisdictions in the Commonwealth often face unique environmental challenges due to their size, isolation and vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters.

Commonwealth Parliamentarians came together with policy experts at a CPA Small Branches Workshop on Legislative Leadership for Environmental Resilience in Hawaii, USA from 23 to 25 July 2024 in partnership with the East-West Center and the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory ASU, both experts in this field of research and policy development.

The workshop focused on enhancing capabilities to promote environmental resilience, addressing global challenges like climate change, disaster risk management and sustainable energy transitions. This initiative aligns with the CPA's broader mission to upskill Parliamentarians, equipping them with the practical tools and knowledge essential for their role as community representatives, legislators and scrutineers.

Delegates attended from CPA Branches in Antigua and Barbuda, Australian Capital Territory, British Virgin Islands, Niue, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Tonga, Turks and Caicos Islands and Tuvalu.

The CPA Small Branches Chairperson, Joy Burch, MLA, Speaker of the Australian Capital Territory welcomed delegates and highlighted that the workshop’s proximity to jurisdictions in the CPA Pacific Region has enhanced accessibility for participants, who have been under-represented in previous CPA Small Branches initiatives.

US Congressman, Ed Case welcomed delegates to the East-West Center and said:

“I wish to say ‘mahalo’ to both the East-West Center and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. You have similar strengths and a shared vision, and moreover, the experience and the ability to bring people together, to facilitate dialogue, to foster collaboration and to arrive at ideas that can bring hope to resolution.”

The workshop featured panel discussions, roundtables, dialogues, explainers and Q&As with experts in the field covering topics such as:

• Defining environmental resilience and its importance.
• What constitutes good laws on sustainable development.
• How to shape and implement sustainable legislation.
• How Parliaments relate to global environmental agreements.

Expert panellists from law and politics included Hawaii State Senators Chris Lee and Jarrett Keohokalole; former New Zealand MP, Hon. Munokoa Poto Williams; Dr Abbi Hobbs, Senior Analyst in Climate Change Scrutiny at the Scottish Parliament; Justice (Ret.) Michael Wilson, former associate justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court and Midori Akamine, an Attorney of Environmental law.

Other experts from the spheres of advocacy and academia represented organisations such as the Blue Planet Alliance, the Commission of Small Island States on International Law and Climate Change Secretariat (COSIS), the Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation, and the University of Hawaii.

At the end of the workshop, participants agreed on a series of pledges and future actions. Some of the recommendations were that Parliamentarians should consider Youth Parliaments as a tool to engage young people on climate change, that participants should consider drafting climate protection action plans for their institutions and that the outcomes and outputs of this workshop are reflected in the 2025 CPA Small Branches Workplan. To read the full list of workshop pledges please click here.

The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg stated that:

“Hawaii has demonstrated leadership in setting ambitious renewable energy targets and proactive stance on sustainability sets an inspiring backdrop for legislative discussions. Additionally, Hawaii's location facilitates access to a wide range of local expertise, organisations, and potential partners, enriching the workshop with insights and practices in environmental resilience.”

-ENDS-

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. The CPA is an international community of around 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.

For media enquiries, please contact communications@cpahq.org.