Terms of reference published: UK aid for energy transition

5 Jun 2025

The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) has today published more information about our forthcoming review assessing the UK’s development support for clean energy transition in low- and middle-income countries.

UK aid for energy transition supports developing countries to deliver the emission reduction goals set in the 2015 Paris Agreement. In 2021, the UK committed to supporting low and middle-income countries to access the innovation and tools needed to transition to ‘net zero’ during the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow. Since then, the UK has channelled a significant part of its overall pledge of £11.6 billion in aid for international climate finance towards helping developing countries meet their clean energy aims.

This review will assess the relevance and effectiveness of the UK’s support for clean energy transition in developing countries from 2021-22 to 2025-26. It will focus on the UK’s strategic priorities, its partnerships and alliances with other countries, and the effectiveness of its efforts to mobilise and leverage private finance to support the energy transition objectives of low- and middle-income countries.

We expect to publish this review in autumn 2025.