UK aid’s international climate finance commitments

A review assessing UK aid’s commitments to international climate finance to support developing countries to adapt and respond to climate change.

Status: Completed
Published: 29 February 2024
Type: Rapid review
Subject: Climate change and biodiversity, Development finance, Multilateral spend, UK aid funds
Assessment: Unrated
Lead commissioner: Tamsyn Barton
SDGs covered:No poverty, Sustainable cities and communities, Responsible consumption and production, Climate action, Life below water, Life on land, Zero hunger, Good health and wellbeing, Clean water and sanitation, Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

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We have published a rapid review of UK aid’s commitment to international climate finance – funding that supports developing countries to adapt and respond to climate change. The government’s response is expected in April 2024.

Summary

Climate change is one of the biggest international development challenges the world faces. Developing countries, which have historically contributed the least to the factors that have caused global warming, are most at risk from the effects of extreme temperatures and weather.

The UK has long championed increased funding, also known as international climate finance (ICF), to support developing countries to tackle and adapt to climate challenges. The government has committed to spend £11.6 billion in ICF in the five years to 2025-26, targeting four priority areas outlined in its 2023 ICF strategy: clean energy; nature for climate and people; adaptation and resilience; and sustainable cities, infrastructure and transport.

This rapid review will build on ICAI’s previous scrutiny of UK aid in relation to the climate and draw upon a range of sources, including analysis of financial data and relevant strategic documents and stakeholder consultation, to determine whether the government is on target to deliver what it has promised.