Campaigners blast ’embarrassing’ report detailing UK foreign aid spending on fossil fuels

The environmental campaign group Global Justice Now has welcomed the recommendations of the International Development Committee’s climate report.

The group, whose submission is referenced in the report, condemned the “total embarrassment” of a UK Aid-funded development bank, CDC Group, still financing fossil fuel projects overseas.

They say that “for any chance of a just resolution at COP26”, we need a new, increased climate finance deal “that reflects rich countries’ central role in propagating climate change and their fair share of historic emissions.”

Responding to the report, Daniel Willis, climate campaigner at Global Justice Now, said: “MPs are right to call for a complete end to CDC Group’s funding of fossil fuels, including gas. For the UK to still be funding fossil fuels overseas on the eve of COP26, despite the Prime Minister’s claims to the contrary, is a total embarrassment.

“Calls for more climate finance for the least developed countries are also welcome. Rich countries have again this week passed the buck on meeting the $100 billion target until 2023, but the most vulnerable countries have been woefully underrepresented so far.

“For any chance of a just resolution at COP26, we need to see a new, increased climate finance deal that reflects rich countries’ central role in propagating climate change and their fair share of historic emissions.”