UK Announces Record-Breaking $2 Billion Commitment to Green Climate Fund at G20 Summit

New Delhi, India - 10 Sept. 2023:  The United Kingdom has unveiled its largest-ever financial commitment to combat climate change, pledging a staggering $2 billion to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This announcement was made by the UK Prime Minister at the conclusion of the G20 Summit held in India, reaffirming the UK's unwavering dedication to addressing the global climate crisis.

The Green Climate Fund, established by 194 countries following the Copenhagen Accord at COP15, serves as the world's most substantial fund aimed at assisting developing nations in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the consequences of climate change.

This generous contribution represents a remarkable 12.7% increase over the UK's previous financial commitment to the GCF for the 2020-2023 period, effectively doubling their initial contribution that seeded the fund back in 2014.

At the G20 Summit, the UK Prime Minister took the opportunity to call upon fellow world leaders to unite in their efforts to reduce their own nations' carbon emissions while simultaneously supporting economies vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. With the COP28 Summit on the horizon in December, the urgency to accelerate climate action has never been more apparent.

"The UK is stepping up and delivering on our climate commitments, both by decarbonising our own economy and supporting the world's most vulnerable to deal with the impact of climate change," emphasised the UK's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

This substantial financial pledge is a pivotal step in the UK's broader promise to allocate £11.6 billion ($15 billion) towards international climate finance between 2021 and 2026. The announcement follows the Prime Minister's recent commitment at COP27 to triple the nation's funding for climate adaptation efforts.

The impact of UK climate aid spending since 2011 has already been substantial, benefiting more than 95 million people by helping them cope with the harsh realities of climate change and preventing or mitigating over 68 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

In parallel with its international climate finance contributions, the UK has demonstrated remarkable domestic climate leadership. The nation has outpaced all other G7 countries in reducing emissions, with low-carbon energy sources accounting for over 50% of its electricity production. Recent records show nearly 48% of UK electricity generated from renewables in the first three months of 2023.

Furthermore, the UK has made strides in expanding wind, solar, and hydro power, home to the world's four largest working wind farms, demonstrating its commitment to transitioning to clean energy sources.

As the UK increases its contribution to the GCF, it will continue to emphasise the importance of the fund delivering tangible results promptly and cost-effectively. This includes a focus on supporting those countries most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, particularly Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.

The UK's $2 billion pledge to the Green Climate Fund reaffirms its dedication to combating climate change on a global scale. With ambitious climate finance commitments and domestic climate action, the UK is setting an example for other nations to follow in the quest for a more sustainable and climate-resilient world.