The Government has denied it is dropping an £11.6 billion plan to help the developing world cut greenhouse gases.
Environmentalists voiced criticism after a leaked briefing note to ministers, which has been given to the Foreign Office, allegedly stated that the UK was considering not fulfilling its commitment.
“Our commitment to double our international climate finance to £11.6bn was made in 2019, when we were still at 0.7 [per cent of GDP spent on international aid] and pre-Covid,” the note is said to state.
The Guardian said on Wednesday that Ukraine and other financial pressures had meant that finding the capital would be a “huge challenge”.
However, the Foreign Office has reportedly denied that the international climate finance pledge was being dropped. It said it was committed to the spending.
So what is the international climate finance pledge? Here’s what you should know.
What is the international climate finance pledge?
As part of the Boris Johnson government manifesto in 2019, the Conservative Party pledged further help to the developing world to prevent climate change.
Extra funding was set to go to projects such as building renewable energy infrastructure, helping to create low-polluting transport, and protecting forests.
The UK had spent £5.8bn in the five years up to 2021 but doubled its commitment to spend £11.6bn between April 2021 and March 2026.
Is the Government dropping the climate finance pledge?
The Guardian reported that the leaked note said that to meet the target, the Government would have to spend 83 per cent of the Foreign Office’s official development assistance budget on the fund. It said this would be to the detriment of other humanitarian projects.
Budgets have been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as other financial pressures and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
However, the Foreign Office has denied the international climate finance pledge is being dropped.
What has the Government said exactly?
The Foreign Office said, as quoted by the Guardian: “Claims that the international climate finance pledge is being dropped are false.
“As the prime minister set out at Cop27, the Government remains committed to spending £11.6bn on international climate finance and we are delivering on that pledge.”
What have others said about the issue?
The Government has been criticised for the move in some quarters. Former Foreign Office minister Zac Goldsmith last week resigned from his position, citing concerns about the environment.
The former Richmond Park MP and Mayor of London candidate told the Guardian: “The low levels of expenditure so far, combined with the decision to define our spending on Afghan and Ukrainian refugees here in the UK as aid (something other countries have not done), means it is going to be virtually impossible to honour the promise.
“Small island states in particular, whose votes in the UN are no less valuable than ours and which are routinely needed by us, will be left feeling utterly betrayed.
“The geopolitical repercussions will be far-reaching and our reputation as a reliable partner will simply be shredded.”
The Guardian quoted Clare Shakya, the strategic director of the International Institute for Environment and Development, as saying: “Not only could that funding have helped some of the most vulnerable people already facing the droughts, flooding and wildfires brought on by climate change, its provision was also a demonstration of the UK’s leadership in the face of the climate crisis.”
