Water Aid

Thank you for contacting me as part of WaterAid about UK international climate finance (ICF).

As the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy (published in March) set out, tackling climate change is the UK's top foreign policy priority. I am greatly encouraged by the fact that, in support of this, HM Government has committed to doubling ICF to £11.6 billion between April 2021 and March 2026, compared with the previous 5-year commitment of £5.8 billion between April 2016 and March 2021. As COP26 President, the UK is working diplomatically to encourage other countries to increase their own ICF contributions. 

I appreciate that you would like to see a large proportion of this spending delivered via locally-led projects. Local communities in developing countries are disproportionately affected by climate change and its consequences, such as water insecurity, and are typically the least able to respond. Ministers assure me that prioritising locally-led action and marginalised groups is of foremost importance when allocating how UK ICF is delivered. 

More widely, as COP26 President, the UK recognises that existing ICF funds need to be better orientated to local level needs. This is why Government, especially via the COP26 Taskforce on Access to Climate Finance, is working to ensure that barriers that restrict and prevent finance flowing to the local-level are removed. 

The UK endorsed the Principles for Locally Led Adaptation at the Climate Adaptation Summit in January 2021, and successfully persuaded other Foreign and Development ministers to do the same under the UK’s G7 Presidency. These principles aim to create greater decision-making and leadership spaces for local communities at the forefront of climate impacts.

I hope this has provided some reassurance to you on this matter. 

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.