Our response to the UK Government’s climate finance promise for developing nations at COP26.
Responding to the UK Government’s climate finance pledge of an additional $1 billion announced during his press conference at the end of World Leader’s Summit, Sophie Rigg, Senior Climate and Resilience Advisor, says:
“The Prime Minister’s climate finance announcement today sounds like a hollow promise. Despite his opening speech at COP26 calling on global action, it is not clear whether this latest pledge of $1 billion of climate finance to developing nations is new money or guaranteed. And in either case it falls woefully short of the UK’s responsibilities on climate change. If it is not new money, this climate finance is merely in place of funds that were previously committed to development aid - which the UK government must still honour their commitment to.
“The Prime Minister also failed to mention how this money will support the needs of women and girls who are dealing with the worst impacts of climate change. Without making sure that women and girls are included in how climate action is financed and implemented, there will be no climate justice.
“While climate finance is desperately needed, we must see new and bolder commitments. Countries that have historically done the most to cause the climate crisis must pay their fair share and fulfil the promises they have made. Climate finance must be unconditional and given urgently.”
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