ICAI welcomes progress in response to Blue Planet Fund review

12 Dec 2025

The government has made wide-ranging improvements to the Blue Planet Fund – a £500 million programme that supports developing countries to protect the marine environment and reduce poverty – in response to recommendations from the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI). 

The review, published in November 2023, found that effectiveness of the Fund had been hampered by weak coordination between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), leading to duplicated work and delivery gaps. ICAI also identified a need for improvement in key management processes and engagement with developing countries. 

ICAI made four recommendations, which the government accepted in full in its response, published in January 2024. Earlier this year, ICAI wrote to the government for an update on progress implementing the recommendations as part of its commitment to follow up with the government on reviews. This process is designed to check appropriate action is being taken and drive improvements to UK development spend. 

ICAI found the government had taken action in response to all the review’s recommendations, including updating the Fund’s theory of change and ensuring a comprehensive approach to monitoring, evaluation and learning, as well as improving coordination between departments, cross-government oversight, and poverty focus of programmes.  

ICAI Chief Commissioner, Jillian Popkins, said: 

“We welcome the positive progress made to strengthen the Blue Planet Fund since our review. The government has taken meaningful steps to improve coordination, ensure programmes focus on poverty reduction, and enhance governance and learning. Defra’s response to ICAI’s rigorous, independent scrutiny will mean greater impact and effectiveness for the poorest people.” 

You can read the government’s progress update here. 

ICAI’s assessment of progress can be found here.