Amayaa Wijesinghe, Senior Resilience and Climate Adviser at ActionAid UK, said:
“As the Prime Minister heads to Antalya, his pledge to ‘meet the climate challenge’ rings hollow when his government has just approved a new gas field in the North Sea.
The UK cannot claim climate leadership internationally while expanding fossil fuels at home, so at COP31 they must back the tripling of adaptation finance by 2035, provided as grants so communities can protect their homes, land and livelihoods before disaster strikes. The Government should make fossil fuel companies and the banks financing them contribute to the cost of climate action through higher taxes on their profits, using the revenue to support communities hardest hit by the crisis.
Nepal faces a $4.7 billion recovery bill following the devastating floods, yet the international Loss and Damage Fund has so far agreed to set aside just $20 million – less than one per cent of Nepal’s estimated recovery costs. As one of the world’s largest historic emitters, the UK too has a responsibility to pay its fair share through grant-based funding, so communities can recover without being forced further into debt.
Last year's Belém Action Mechanism was a hard-won victory for civil society but a just transition must mean more than words on paper. For women in Nepal who have lost their land and livelihoods, it means recognising their land rights and giving them a say in rebuilding their communities. In Somaliland, where ActionAid research shows climate-induced drought is deepening poverty and increasing the risks of female genital mutilation and child marriage, this means funding women-led organisations to support drought-resistant farming, protect livelihoods and defend women’s rights.
As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, the UK has committed to pursuing efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C. ActionAid will be watching closely to see whether the Government backs that commitment with action – delivering fair, grant-based climate finance, championing women’s rights in the climate crisis and turning the Belém Action Mechanism into meaningful support.”
To arrange an interview, please contact the press office at uk.media@actionaid.org or on +44 7753 973 486
[ENDS]