UK to grant African Development Bank £200 million for climate action

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has said on Tuesday that his country would provide £200 million ($2.29 million) to the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Climate Action Window. The money will go for helping vulnerable countries adapt to the impacts of climate change “from severe drought in the Horn of Africa to floods in South Sudan.”

“Climate change is having a devastating impact on countries in Sub-Saharan Africa facing drought and extreme weather patterns, which have historically received a tiny proportion of climate finance,” Cleverly said on the sidelines of the UN climate summit COP27 that is taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

“This new mechanism from the African Development Bank will see vital funds delivered to those most affected by the impacts of climate change, much more quickly.” he added.

“Lack of access to climate finance for the world’s poorest countries was a central focus at COP26 in Glasgow. This £200 million of UK funding is helping us to make tangible progress to address this issue.” the UK official further said.

AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina welcomed the additional funding from the UK.

“This bold move and support of the UK will strengthen our collective efforts to build climate resilience for African countries. With increasing frequencies of droughts, floods and cyclones that are devastating economies, the UK support for climate adaptation is timely, needed, and inspiring in closing the climate adaptation financing gap for Africa.” Adesina said.

“I came to COP27 in Egypt with challenges of climate adaptation for Africa topmost on my mind. The support of the UK has given hope. I encourage others to follow this leadership on climate adaptation shown by the UK,”