8th Report - Empowering Development: Energy Access for Communities

The government partially agrees, stating it already promotes gender equality and inclusion (GEDSI) in all its ODA interventions and new UK climate programmes, in line with existing legislation and guidance. It will look to enhance communications around tools and resources that inform FCDO’s approach to inclusive energy programming beyond FY25/26. It does not commit to new tracking systems or dedicated resources.

The government agrees and provides its definition of “clean energy” for ODA purposes, including specific technologies supported and those not included. It states this guidance, published in the UK International Climate Finance Results, is already publicly available on GOV.UK.

The FCDO agrees and states it already offers this through its ICF Technical Assistance work, citing examples like the Green Cities, Infrastructure and Energy Programme and Climate Compatible Growth research. It also notes it is exploring ways to enhance its expertise and advice to countries in developing policy and regulatory frameworks.

The FCDO agrees and states it remains committed to using its convening power to co-design energy solutions and will focus on local leadership. The response details existing initiatives like the TEA programme, Chevening Scholarships, and training courses that already foster innovation, capacity, and partnerships, demonstrating alignment with the recommendation.

The government accepts this recommendation, stating it already leads by example through domestic commitments and engagement with Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to scale energy access and ensure community benefits. It commits to continue influencing and driving innovations from significant multilateral investments.

The government partially agrees, stating that existing programmes like the TEA platform, Ayrton Fund, and British International Investment (BII) are already building linkages, improving coordination, and strategically using public finance, with an ICAI review finding good impacts from UK activities.

The government partially agrees, stating that current programmes (TEA, MECS, Ayrton Fund, BII) already foster local partnerships, inclusion, and investment in clean energy. It notes a 2025 study on locally-led action will inform future clean energy innovation programming to ensure community voices are central.

The government agrees, stating it recognises the importance of community engagement and promotes it through inclusive models and by placing Gender, Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles at the centre of its approach. It highlights that its Centre of Expertise has developed a GEDSI toolkit now being piloted in Zambia's energy sector.

The FCDO agrees and recognizes the importance of the conclusion, stating it already promotes community engagement through inclusive models and places GEDSI principles at the centre of its approach, including through existing programs like TEA and MECS and a new GEDSI toolkit. A study commissioned for 2025 will further inform future programming to ensure community voices are central.

The government partially agrees, acknowledging the importance of disaggregated data and committing to making targeted improvements to climate finance KPIs and reporting systems, specifically strengthening disaggregated data reporting on gender and disability, through an upcoming Portfolio Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) contract. It also agrees in principle that projects should consider and communicate key trade-offs.

The government partially agrees with the conclusion, highlighting its existing support for practical, scalable innovations through programmes like TEA and MECS, and detailing successes of companies supported. It describes how it is already promoting gender equality and social inclusion within its energy access programmes and supporting local stakeholders in national energy planning.

The FCDO partially agrees, acknowledging the concerns about overreliance on innovation and committing to mitigate risks by balancing innovation with proven approaches, embedding local ownership, strengthening risk management, and investing in capacity-building. It outlines its existing R&D portfolio, but defers firm commitments on increasing investment beyond FY25/26.

The FCDO agrees with the conclusion and highlights existing programmes like TEA, Chevening Scholarships, and open-source training that already foster innovation and build capacity in energy access. They commit to continuing to embed lessons learned from evaluations into policy and programme delivery.