Ed Miliband says Labour will honour pledge of £11.6bn in overseas climate aid
Public sector pay rises are going to cost £9bn* while Miliband plans to send £11.6bn abroad for climate crisis. Combined, these plans will come at an estimate cost of £20bn to the UK taxpayers. Meanwhile, the government claims there is a budgetary black hole of exactly that amount.
As Labour gears up for this year’s ‘climate-emergency’ summit in November, Miliband convened a meeting with Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s minister set to lead Cop29, and Ana Toni, Brazil’s climate chief, who will host Cop30 in Belem in 2025. The discussion focused on strategies to ensure the success of the upcoming UN climate conferences, known as “conferences of the parties” under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
In a rare appearance, Alok Sharma, former Tory minister and Cop26 president, also attended the meeting. This inclusion comes amid reports from former minister Zac Goldsmith that the Tories were considering scrapping the climate aid pledge.
Miliband stressed the importance of wealthy nations demonstrating leadership to support countries devastated by climate disasters and prevent the worst impacts of climate breakdown. He stated, “We are almost at the halfway point in this critical decade to halt climate change, and the case for urgent and unified global action is greater than ever. We must lead by example with action starting at home – which is what we are doing through our bold 2030 clean power mission, our commitment not to issue new oil, gas, or coal licences, and our £11.6bn commitment to international climate finance, sending a powerful signal to the world that we are serious about the leadership role the UK can play in driving global climate action.”
The affirmation of the climate aid pledge was well-received by developing countries and climate experts. Mohamed Adow, director of Power Shift Africa, remarked, “This move will be warmly welcomed by developing countries. The UK used to be seen as a credible leader on climate change around the world but sadly that has been lost in recent years. The new government needs to recognise its responsibilities on the global stage and delivering its climate commitments is essential if the world is going to properly tackle the injustice of the climate crisis.”
Harjeet Singh, global engagement director for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative, added, “This confirmation is a welcome step forward. As one of the largest historical polluters, the UK bears significant responsibility to contribute its fair share in supporting developing nations.”
Babayev, responsible for urging developed countries to increase their climate finance from billions to trillions, expressed gratitude for the UK’s pledge. “We thank the UK for its commitment to demonstrate leadership this year – as the host of Cop26, the UK understands well the critical importance of Cop29 for global climate action,” he said.
Toni urged the UK to set a strengthened target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the symbolic and crucial role of the UK’s transition to clean energy and green finance.
The meeting, held at Lancaster House in London, also included separate discussions with King Charles, who hosted a reception for businesses and climate advocates at Clarence House. While the King attended Cop28 in Dubai last year, he was prevented from attending the previous conference by Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss. It remains uncertain if he will attend Cop29, though an invitation to Cop30 is likely.
Sultan Al Jaber, Cop28 president, met the King but did not meet Miliband during his visit to Clarence House.
Looking beyond 2026, developing countries seek assurances of continued aid. Catherine Pettengell, executive director of Climate Action Network UK, emphasized, “The UK must urgently rebuild credibility on the global stage, and particularly with our partners in low and middle-income countries suffering the worst impacts of climate change. At a minimum, this means fulfilling the existing UK commitments, as well as going beyond this as soon as possible.”
Published: 30-07-2024
