The Commonwealth Parliamentary Climate Forum has been hailed ‘thought-provoking and inspiring’ by Rob Mercer MLC.

Mr Mercer together with Hon Clare Barber MHK joined parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth at the Houses of Parliament from 14 to 16 October for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Climate Forum, hosted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK (CPA UK).

The forum, which attracted delegates from the Bahamas, Belize, Cyprus, Eswatini, Jersey, Kenya, Kiribati, Maldives, New South Wales, Pakistan, St Lucia, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, and the Gambia, came ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as the 30^th Conference of the Parties (COP30), to be held in Brazil in November 2025.

The forum sought to examine how parliamentarians can drive global climate action, champion environmental justice and help to build a more resilient future.

Mr Mercer, (pictured ), who spoke on the topic of emerging technology and climate change, said: ‘I was honoured to represent the Isle of Man at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Climate Forum, where parliamentary representatives from 16 nations came together to share experiences and ideas on responding to the global climate and nature emergency.

‘What struck me most throughout the discussions was the strong sense of shared purpose and community spirit. Although we each come from very different contexts — from island nations facing rising sea levels to large countries grappling with flood, drought and deforestation — the themes of community engagement, adaptation, and resilience ran through every session.

‘The forum’s panel discussions and Q&A sessions were dynamic and informative, touching on issues such as energy and food security, flood defence, and community resilience and recovery. These conversations reminded me that climate action is not only about government policy or technology — it’s about people: how communities prepare, respond, and recover.

‘A number of sessions looked at how parliaments can play their part — through scrutiny and oversight of climate legislation, and by supporting strategies that enable a sustainable and fair economic transition. As Chair of Tynwald’s Environment and Infrastructure Policy Review Committee, I found these exchanges incredibly valuable. The sessions on supporting sectors and businesses, and on leveraging finance, policy and innovation, provided a wealth of ideas and practical examples that I will be taking back to share with my colleagues and committees in Tynwald.

‘What left the deepest impression were the personal testimonies from delegates whose countries are already living with the devastating effects of climate change. For many in the global south, this is not a debate about the future — it’s a daily reality affecting homes, livelihoods, and national security. Hearing those stories really brought home to me the urgency and humanity of the challenge we face.

‘Here on the Isle of Man, it can be easy to feel somewhat removed from those impacts. But climate change is not a faraway problem — it is a global one, and the choices we make now will determine how resilient and sustainable our own communities will be in the years ahead.

‘I came away from the forum encouraged by the innovation, optimism, and collaboration on display. The Commonwealth provides an invaluable platform for sharing experiences and supporting one another in this collective effort. Working together, we can learn from others’ successes and challenges, and continue to strengthen our own response — from government strategy to community action.

‘My sincere thanks go to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association for organising such a thought-provoking and inspiring event, and to my colleague Minister Clare Barber MHK, who represented the Isle of Man alongside me. Together, we will report back to the Isle of Man Branch of the CPA and ensure that the insights gained feed into our ongoing work in Tynwald.

‘The forum reaffirmed for me that while the climate and nature emergency is one of the greatest challenges of our time, it is also an opportunity — to build stronger communities, greener economies, and a more resilient future for all.’

Mrs Barber, (pictured ), who spoke on the subject of evidence-based policy, said: ‘By focusing on areas of co-benefit such as energy and food security, energy efficiency, and reducing waste, we can make a meaningful contribution to global climate action while also improving quality of life here in the Isle of Man. Sound, evidence-based policy helps ensure that our efforts deliver both environmental and social value; a thread that emerged throughout the workshop event.’

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For further information contact:

Joann Corkish
Deputy Clerk of Tynwald
Legislative Buildings
Douglas
IM1 3PW
Tel: 01624 685511
enquiries@tynwald.org.im