SCIAF's response to potential international climate finance cuts

Over the past few days, reports have emerged that the UK Government is planning to ditch its commitment to spend £11.6bn over 5 years on international climate finance.

Breaking this commitment would have a devastating impact on millions of people across the world who are already suffering the impacts of climate change through droughts, floods, heatwaves and storms.  

This u-turn would also destroy the UK’s fledgling reputation as a climate leader on the global stage, and further undermine trust between nations at the United Nations ahead of crucial climate talks at COP28 in Dubai later this year.  

Alistair Dutton, SCIAF CEO, said: 

"I strongly urge the Prime Minister to urgently affirm that the international climate finance targets will not be reduced or delayed.  

“Tackling the climate crisis requires action all over the world, not just at home. International climate finance is vital to helping build renewables in developing countries, to ensure that communities can weather the storms of climate change, and to help them recover after climate-induced disasters.  

“Reneging on this long-standing commitment would send a signal to the world that the UK cannot be trusted to do its part on climate change. It will enrage governments in the Global South who rely on this money to develop greener economies, and is also a betrayal of the UK’s allies in the Global North who know climate finance is needed to achieve the Paris Agreement”