MPs say UK climate change action falls short

The House Commons International Development Committee has called on the government to concentrate its international aid programmes tackling climate change on the everyday lives of people affected by it.

A report released today by the Committee said these efforts should support climate-vulnerable communities and grassroots organisations if “Global Britain”, in the government’s phrase, is to become the “force for good” it aspires to be.

In other key recommendations, the Committee said the UK should stop investing in the fossil fuel sector, including through its private-sector investment arm, the CDC Group (‘CDC’);
It also called for clearer definitions for funds labelled as ‘climate finance’ and much easier access to those funds for climate-vulnerable countries; said climate change-fighting programmes needed to be long term and incorporate building local expertise; and recommended the creation of a position of Climate and Development Minister.

The Chair of the International Development Committee, Sarah Champion MP, said: “Tackling global climate change means tackling the social and economic problems of vulnerable communities most affected by it. That means appropriate funding but also sensitive, locally-inspired development schemes.

“There are some simple actions the government should do straight away – it’s a no brainer that it should start by ending all investments in projects involving fossil fuels. It’s the industrialised countries that caused most of the climate change. It’s now our moral duty – as well as being in our own interests – to help clean this dangerous mess up.”