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Add to Preferred SourcesA UK aid package to tackle climate change across Africa has been announced by the International Development Secretary Rory Stewart during a two-day visit to Kenya.
The support would help sub-Saharan African countries build resilience to climate change and develop low carbon economies.
Increasing temperatures and extreme weather across the continent are having a profound impact on the lives and livelihoods of communities.
During his visit, the Secretary of State saw first-hand what happens when we do not protect the planet, including damaged natural flood defenses; arid, drought-stricken land; and wildlife, the environment, and jobs put at risk. He highlighted how tackling climate change is a global problem, and taking on an issue which affects us all will also ultimately benefit the UK.
Over the next five years, the new £250 million UK aid package would ensure UK expertise and experience can help developing countries become more climate resilient and move away from fossil fuels onto cleaner energy sources.
Working in partnership with African governments, organisations and communities, this funding would be the Department for International Development’s (DFID’s) largest single direct climate investment ever in the continent.
“We are facing a global climate emergency. Polluted air, rising sea levels and increasing temperatures are felt by everyone in the world. We must all play our part to protect the environment. I am today announcing DFID’s biggest ever single direct aid investment in climate and the environment across Africa. This builds on my ambition to double DFID’s efforts on this issue globally. Tackling climate change is of direct benefit to everyone living on this planet, including of course in the UK,” said the Secretary of State during his visit to a drought-affected village in Marsabit County in northern Kenya.
African nations are responsible for just 2 to 3% of global emissions, but the continent is set to be the worst affected by the devastating impacts of climate change. Kenya is getting warmer and its rainfall becoming more uncertain.
On July 12, the International Development Secretary met with communities in northern Kenya whose lives have been hit by drought. He announced an extra £4 million UK aid commitment to help prevent malnutrition and the threat of starvation for those living off arid lands in Kenya.
Original source: DFID
Published on 13 July 2019