(Commonwealth)_ At the 2025 Innovation Net Zero World Congress, Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey addressed the global community with a powerful message on the critical role of innovation in achieving net zero and tackling the climate crisis. She expressed gratitude to the United Kingdom for its steadfast leadership in paving the way toward a net-zero future and acknowledged the collective efforts of innovators, scientists, policymakers, and investors driving the global transition.
The world is currently facing a climate crisis that is no longer a distant threat but a daily reality for millions, particularly in the Commonwealth’s diverse regions, spanning Africa, Asia, the Pacific, the Caribbean, Europe, and beyond. Communities that have contributed the least to this crisis are bearing its harshest consequences, from devastating storms and floods to droughts and fires. While resilience in these communities is inspiring, Secretary-General Botchwey stressed that it alone is insufficient to address the scale of the challenge. The climate crisis requires transformational action, and despite the daunting situation, she remained optimistic about the potential for change.
This age of risk also presents an extraordinary opportunity, she noted. Human progress has always been driven by innovation, and it is this innovation that will determine whether the world achieves net zero in practice. From the steam engine to the internet, innovations have reshaped the world, and the pace and scale of innovation needed now are unprecedented. To achieve a sustainable and prosperous future, innovation must define not just theoretical goals but real-world solutions that impact the lives of individuals, communities, and nations.
The Commonwealth is well-positioned to play a key role in this global effort. With 56 countries, 2.7 billion people, and a diverse range of climates and geographies, the Commonwealth holds a unique responsibility in the fight against climate change. Representing one-third of humanity, the Commonwealth spans continents, oceans, and climate zones and is home to both some of the world’s fastest-growing cities and its smallest island states. It is rich in critical minerals, renewable resources, human talent, and youthful energy. This broad diversity offers the Commonwealth a unique position to lead in building an innovation-driven, net-zero world.
Across the Commonwealth, various countries are already leading the way in innovative solutions to address climate challenges. In Kenya, for example, there is a revolution in the harnessing of geothermal energy, providing a sustainable and clean energy source. In the Caribbean, renewable energy microgrids are being used to power remote communities, increasing resilience and promoting sustainability. In the Pacific, traditional knowledge is being integrated with modern satellite technology to protect coastal ecosystems and livelihoods. These examples highlight the immense potential for innovation within the Commonwealth, but they also represent just the beginning of a broader transformation.
The Secretary-General emphasized the urgent need to scale and accelerate these innovations across the Commonwealth and beyond. With strong leadership from the United Kingdom in climate innovation, including setting legally binding net-zero targets, pioneering green finance, and championing nature-based solutions, the UK serves as a model for global climate leadership. Initiatives like the UK’s Green Growth Fund continue to foster collaboration, driving sustainable development and innovation.
The Commonwealth and the UK are poised to work together to unlock a new era of collaboration in climate action. By partnering to fund ambitious clean technology investments, managing critical minerals sustainably, sharing expertise to build resilient green economies, and empowering youth, women, and entrepreneurs, the two entities can drive meaningful change. Through these partnerships, ambition can be transformed into action, and the global transition to a net-zero economy can become a reality.
Secretary-General Botchwey concluded her address by reaffirming the Commonwealth’s commitment to placing innovation at the heart of its climate action agenda. Under her leadership, the Commonwealth is focused on fostering sustainable growth and shared prosperity through innovation. As nations work together toward a net-zero future, the Commonwealth will continue to contribute to global efforts by supporting innovation, sustainable practices, and resilience-building initiatives across its member states. Together, nations can create a world where a net-zero economy is not merely a goal, but a shared and achievable reality.
