Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Acknowledged
Government fails to recognise synergies between energy access and climate adaptation
Conclusion
The Government has not always fully recognised the synergies between energy access and climate adaptation, leading to siloed programming, despite the central role of resilient energy systems in supporting adaptation efforts. (Conclusion, Paragraph 69)
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees with the observation, stating it understands the interconnectedness and already supports related research and coordination. It agrees better integration is possible and will explore upgrading governance and coordination across its climate finance portfolio, committing to bear the recommendation in mind for future resourcing decisions.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Government Response: Partially Agree 50. The FCDO understands the interconnectedness between energy access and climate adaptation, including, critically, water security. If well designed, access to energy can help communities reduce their vulnerability to climate change. Social and economic benefits of energy access can contribute to building resilience to climate change, such as health, education, and economic opportunities. Conversely, energy systems and infrastructure need to be adapted and made more resilient to the impact of climate change. 51. We support collaborative research networks and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen the global knowledge base, while our coordination groups seek to align policy and delivery across departments. Progress is tracked through joint monitoring frameworks to maintain coherence and impact. 52. We agree that energy access and climate adaptation objectives could be better integrated across relevant programmes. This coordination is driven by cross-departmental groups and mainstreamed through the UK’s ICF portfolio. We will explore upgrading the governance and coordination across the climate finance portfolio, building on the recommendations of the ICAI review into our Energy Transitions portfolio – and building on the Ayrton Fund experience. 53. There are further opportunities to increase integration and cross-team collaboration on energy access, including areas such as sustainable cooling and solar water pumping as they link with adaptation, as well as reducing pressure on forests and nature through transitions from firewood/charcoal to electricity. However, at this stage, decisions on resourcing prioritisation beyond FY25/26 have not yet been taken, but we commit to bearing the recommendation of the Committee in mind in allocations.