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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Nick Ferris

Poor countries paying billions more to cover debts than they receive as aid to fight climate crisis

The aftermath of Cyclone Freddy in Malawi in 2023. It is one of the countries most affected - (AP)

The world’s poorest and most climate-vulnerable countries are spending billions of pounds more to repay debts than they receive in funding to fight climate change, new research shows.

The analysis, from the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) think tank, finds that in 2023 – the most recent year for which data was available – the 59 countries that represent the world’s least developed countries and small island developing states paid US $37 billion (£28bn) to service their debts, but received only $32 billion (£24bn) in climate finance.

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