Recommendations & Conclusions
11 items
8
Recommendation
Second Report - Global Britain in deman…
Acknowledged
We welcome the Government holding a Climate and Development Ministerial meeting in March 2021 to capture the concerns of climate-vulnerable countries in the run-up to COP26. We recommend that the FCDO hosts a Climate and Development Ministerial with climate-vulnerable countries every year starting in 2022 to follow up on the …
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We welcome the Government holding a Climate and Development Ministerial meeting in March 2021 to capture the concerns of climate-vulnerable countries in the run-up to COP26. We recommend that the FCDO hosts a Climate and Development Ministerial with climate-vulnerable countries every year starting in 2022 to follow up on the measures listed in the “Climate & Development Pathway” of March 2021 and to keep the momentum gained from that first Climate and Development Ministerial.
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, highlighting the prominence given to Adaptation, Loss and Damage at COP26 and the commitments within the Glasgow Climate Pact. While committed to taking forward measures in the Climate and Development Pathway, the response does not explicitly commit to hosting an annual …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
14
Conclusion
Second Report - Global Britain in deman…
Acknowledged
On the same day, COP26 President the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP launched the Adaptation Action Coalition,31 in order to accelerate progress on adaptation in partnership with five countries and the UN32 as well as the “Race to Resilience” campaign to build the resilience of four billion climate-vulnerable people by …
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On the same day, COP26 President the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP launched the Adaptation Action Coalition,31 in order to accelerate progress on adaptation in partnership with five countries and the UN32 as well as the “Race to Resilience” campaign to build the resilience of four billion climate-vulnerable people by 2030.33
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agreed and elaborated on its commitment to adaptation and resilience, highlighting recognition of indigenous and local community leadership, a £300m pledge to the IPLC Forest Tenure Fund, and £45m for the Community Resilience Partnership Program to empower local communities in locally-led adaptation.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
36
Conclusion
Second Report - Global Britain in deman…
Acknowledged
We heard that the UK has “a really good story to tell on adaptation”.69 On average, 47% of UK ICF was spent on adaptation in the past four years.70 Furthermore the UK provided 89% of its ICF in grants rather than loans between 2016 and 2019,71 bucking the global trend …
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We heard that the UK has “a really good story to tell on adaptation”.69 On average, 47% of UK ICF was spent on adaptation in the past four years.70 Furthermore the UK provided 89% of its ICF in grants rather than loans between 2016 and 2019,71 bucking the global trend of an increasing share of loans, rather than grants, in public climate finance between 2013 and 2018.72 62 The Climate Centre, ‘We cannot continue with a situation where adaptation is the poor cousin of mitigation’, 1 April 2021 63 Christian Aid (CDC0047) 64 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Copenhagen Accord, point 8, 18 December 2009 65 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Paris Agreement, Article 9.4, p.15, 12 December 2015 66 United Nations, Delivering on the $100 billion climate finance commitment and transforming climate finance, p.7, December 2020 67 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Climate Finance Provided and Mobilised by Developed Countries: Aggregate Trends Updated with 2019 Data, p.9, 17 September 2021 68 United Nations, Background note on the USD 100 billion goal in the context of UNFCCC process, in relation to advancing on SDG indicator 13.a.1, accessed 26 October 2021 69 Q57 [Catherine Pettengell] 70 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (CDC0016) 71 Gov.uk, UK Biennial Finance Communication to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change 2020, p.5, 12 December 2020 72 OECD, Climate Finance Provided and Mobilised by Developed Countries in 2013–18, p.9, 6 November 2020 Global Britain in demand: UK climate action and international development around COP26 17
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the progress on adaptation finance, highlighting global commitments secured under the UK's COP26 Presidency to double 2019 levels of adaptation finance by 2025.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
57
Conclusion
Second Report - Global Britain in deman…
Acknowledged
In their paper on climate finance, Roberts et al state that funding is “insecure”, unpredictable and based on a “fragmented institutional architecture” which low- and middle-income countries cannot influence sufficiently.126 In their words: climate funds are funnelled through over 100 channels, very few of which are controlled in meaningful ways …
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In their paper on climate finance, Roberts et al state that funding is “insecure”, unpredictable and based on a “fragmented institutional architecture” which low- and middle-income countries cannot influence sufficiently.126 In their words: climate funds are funnelled through over 100 channels, very few of which are controlled in meaningful ways by developing nations […]. These include developed countries’ aid and export promotion agencies, private banks, equity funds and corporations, and lending and granting arms of multilateral institutions like the World Bank and regional banks.127
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the concerns regarding climate finance, highlighting its efforts to improve transparency and predictability. It refers to the UK's published climate finance commitments, the $100bn Delivery Plan, and existing reporting mechanisms like the Development Tracker and the Enhanced Transparency Framework.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
72
Conclusion
Second Report - Global Britain in deman…
Acknowledged
On the pace of transition, CDC state on their webpage that: we avoid short-term policy changes. We are a long-term investor who thinks in decades rather than years.155 Colin Buckley told us that the perceived slow pace at aligning with the Paris Agreement of 2015 was due to “investment decisions …
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On the pace of transition, CDC state on their webpage that: we avoid short-term policy changes. We are a long-term investor who thinks in decades rather than years.155 Colin Buckley told us that the perceived slow pace at aligning with the Paris Agreement of 2015 was due to “investment decisions that were made over a decade ago” and to the “importance of natural gas as a transition power […] in countries that simply do not have the renewable structure yet”.156 Mr Buckley also told us that: the [CDC’s] strategy does not have any overall time when fossil fuels would cease, because it would depend on the individual country’s Paris path to net zero.157
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Government response AI summary
The government clarifies that responsible exits are a key part of BII’s mandate, stating that BII will actively support companies in developing countries to reduce their carbon footprint, as exemplified by the Just Transition Road Map in South Africa.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
76
Conclusion
Second Report - Global Britain in deman…
Acknowledged
H.E. Diann Black-Layne, Lead Negotiator on Climate Change, Alliance of Small Island States, told us that: The frequency and intensity [of hurricanes] is increasing, and this increase is caused by pollution that is not our fault. […] Ideally, climate justice should kick in and those who are polluting should compensate …
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H.E. Diann Black-Layne, Lead Negotiator on Climate Change, Alliance of Small Island States, told us that: The frequency and intensity [of hurricanes] is increasing, and this increase is caused by pollution that is not our fault. […] Ideally, climate justice should kick in and those who are polluting should compensate us. What happens is that they say, “Oh no, go to the World Bank. Borrow this money and then you are going to have to borrow every single time.” That is not sustainable.165
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, stating that its COP26 presidency prioritised Adaptation, Loss and Damage (ALD) and published a discussion paper on UK action. It commits to taking forward measures in the Climate and Development Pathway and continues to engage closely with partners, citing ongoing work …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
77
Conclusion
Second Report - Global Britain in deman…
Acknowledged
At the Climate and Development Ministerial on 31 March 2021, the Government launched the ‘Climate and Development Pathway’, including the commitment to operationalise the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage before COP26.166 While participants of a subsequent Ministerial meeting on 25-26 July 2021 agreed on the need for urgent action, …
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At the Climate and Development Ministerial on 31 March 2021, the Government launched the ‘Climate and Development Pathway’, including the commitment to operationalise the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage before COP26.166 While participants of a subsequent Ministerial meeting on 25-26 July 2021 agreed on the need for urgent action, they disagreed on the creation of a separate funding line for loss and damage.167 159 As with climate finance, there is no official definition of loss and damage. In line with our predecessor Committee, we understand it as “the impacts of climate change that cannot be avoided through mitigation or adaptation.” See: International Development Committee, UK aid for combating climate change (HC 1432), Paragraph 158, 8 May 2019 160 Q58 [Catherine Pettengell], Q76 [Nick Mabey] 161 Bond and Climate Action Network UK (CAN-UK) (CDC0045), CARE International UK (CDC0029), Practical Action (CDC0040), Quakers in Britain (CDC0004) 162 Bond and Climate Action Network UK (CAN-UK) (CDC0045) 163 Bond and Climate Action Network UK (CAN-UK) (CDC0045) 164 Bond and Climate Action Network UK (CAN-UK) (CDC0045) 165 Q16 [Diann Black-Layne] 166 UK COP26, Climate and Development Pathway, accessed 26 October 2021 167 UK COP26, July Ministerial Chairs Summary, 5 August 2021 28 Global Britain in demand: UK climate action and international development around COP26 UK’s response—loss and damage
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agreed, highlighting its COP26 Presidency's focus on Adaptation, Loss and Damage, publishing a discussion paper, and committing to implement the Climate and Development Pathway. It detailed progress on workstreams such as establishing the Taskforce on Access to Finance and increasing country coverage …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
80
Conclusion
Second Report - Global Britain in deman…
Acknowledged
He added that: Our approach of pushing very hard for a clear, even split between adaptation and mitigation is, in a sense, probably the most elegant way through what would otherwise be an impasse, by getting countries that may not accept the language of loss and damage, or compensation, to …
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He added that: Our approach of pushing very hard for a clear, even split between adaptation and mitigation is, in a sense, probably the most elegant way through what would otherwise be an impasse, by getting countries that may not accept the language of loss and damage, or compensation, to accept the idea that we need to help those frontline countries that are most vulnerable to climate change to prepare, to become more resilient and to adapt to climate change.171
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, highlighting the prominence given to Adaptation, Loss and Damage (ALD) at COP26, including a special event and a discussion paper. It outlines ongoing work across four workstreams of the Climate and Development Ministerial but does not specifically commit to the described …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
81
Recommendation
Second Report - Global Britain in deman…
Acknowledged
We understand the call of many contributors to create a separate funding stream for loss and damage from climate events, such as from sea-level rise, and acknowledge the challenges in accomplishing this at this time. Nonetheless, we urge the Government to ensure the operationalisation and adequate funding of the Santiago …
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We understand the call of many contributors to create a separate funding stream for loss and damage from climate events, such as from sea-level rise, and acknowledge the challenges in accomplishing this at this time. Nonetheless, we urge the Government to ensure the operationalisation and adequate funding of the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage by 31 January 2022 and thus keep the momentum on formulating policies and interventions to tackle loss and damage during its COP presidency. Further, the FCDO should work closely with LDCs and SIDS in developing practical measures to address loss and damage, especially where people are forced to migrate or change livelihoods to reduce risks to their livelihoods and lives. Leadership and the Climate and Development Ministerial
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, highlighting its COP26 presidency's focus on Adaptation, Loss and Damage (ALD) and its discussion paper. It states it will continue to engage partners on measures to avert, minimise and address loss and damage, describing ongoing work through the Climate and Development …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
87
Conclusion
Second Report - Global Britain in deman…
Acknowledged
On 31 March 2021, the Government hosted a Climate and Development Ministerial to discuss the challenges and priorities for delivering the Paris Climate Agreement and meeting the SDGs.181 The meeting brought together ministers of 35 countries and representatives of international finance institutions to produce practical actions regarding adaptation, access to …
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On 31 March 2021, the Government hosted a Climate and Development Ministerial to discuss the challenges and priorities for delivering the Paris Climate Agreement and meeting the SDGs.181 The meeting brought together ministers of 35 countries and representatives of international finance institutions to produce practical actions regarding adaptation, access to finance, the volume and quality of finance and debt.182 175 Bond and Climate Action Network UK (CAN-UK) (CDC0045), Christian Aid (CDC0047), E3G (Third Generation Environmentalism) (CDC0027), International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) (CDC0048), WaterAid (CDC0023) 176 Bond and Climate Action Network UK (CAN-UK) (CDC0045), Christian Aid (CDC0047), Institute of Development Studies (CDC0015), E3G (Third Generation Environmentalism) (CDC0027), Tearfund (CDC0031), Fairtrade Foundation (CDC0034), WaterAid (CDC0023) 177 Q24 [Cecilia da Silva Bernardo] 178 Q24 [Diann Black-Layne] 179 Q41 [Gebru Jember] 180 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Annex A) (CDC0052) 181 Gov.uk, Climate and Development Ministerial meeting, March 2021: overview, 16 March 2021. UK COP26, Climate & Development Ministerial Chair’s Summary, 1 April 2021 182 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Annex A) (CDC0052) 30 Global Britain in demand: UK climate action and international development around COP26
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges its hosting of the Climate and Development Ministerial and details ongoing work to deliver on its four workstreams, including initiatives on access to finance, responding to climate impacts, improving climate finance quality, and fiscal space/debt sustainability.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
93
Conclusion
Second Report - Global Britain in deman…
Acknowledged
The FCDO has taken a number of encouraging steps to address the impact of climate change in vulnerable countries such as the “Race to Resilience” campaign, the Adaptation Action Coalition, backing the Least Developed Countries Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience (LIFE-AR) and signing up to the “Principles for Locally-Led …
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The FCDO has taken a number of encouraging steps to address the impact of climate change in vulnerable countries such as the “Race to Resilience” campaign, the Adaptation Action Coalition, backing the Least Developed Countries Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience (LIFE-AR) and signing up to the “Principles for Locally-Led Adaptation”. Furthermore, the FCDO has introduced a rule requiring all new FCDO programming to align with the Paris Agreement “to ensure that no environmental harm is done.”190
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the committee's positive observations, further detailing its track record of promoting locally-led adaptation. This includes existing and ongoing support for LIFE AR for another five years and seed funding for a global university network to provide training and build local capacity.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office