UK Government 'betrays world's poor' by breaking climate pledge- Water Witness comment

Tuesday 4th July 2023: Water Witness press comment

Reacting to the reporting of leaked documents from the UK Government that it will drop its flagship £11.6billion climate pledge [1], Water Witness Executive Director Dr Nick Hepworth said:

“This is an appalling and shameful choice by the UK Government, unbelievably coming the day after the world’s hottest day since records began[2], and at a time when 50million people across the Horn of Africa are at risk of famine due to the longest drought since records began.[3]

“In dropping the UK’s flagship pledge on International Climate Finance, this government will burn up the last scrap of UK credibility on the world stage.  It represents a bare faced betrayal of billions of the world’s poor and reckless disregard for the wellbeing of future generations. 

“We know first hand what happens when UK funding for climate programmes is cut. Based on our analysis of the impacts of Storm Ana in Malawi last year, had UK aid not been cut so dramatically from water, sanitation and climate disaster preparedness programmes it could have lessened the impact of the flooding, and possibly prevented or at least reduced the impact of the subsequent current cholera epidemic, which has now killed over 1600 people – 400 of them children. [4]

“While the UK Government hides behind decimal points, having already reneged on their commitment to spend 0.7% of GDP on international aid, we strongly condemn this choice by the UK Government and call for an immediate and urgent review.

“People should be outraged and embarrassed by the actions of this government and their ‘say one thing - do another’ approach to global diplomacy.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Dr Nick Hepworth is available for interview. Contact Lexi Parfitt on lexiparfitt@waterwitness.org

[1] Revealed: UK plans to drop flagship £11.6bn climate pledge | Climate crisis | The Guardian

[2] Climate change: World's hottest day since records began - BBC News

[3] Horn of Africa hunger emergency: ‘129,000 looking death in the eyes’ | UN News

[4] Water Witness evidence to House of Commons International Development Committee Evidence to House of Commons International Development Committee- Feb 2023 — Water Witness International | Action, Research & Advocacy for a Fair Water Future

Water Witness International works with those at the sharp end of the global water crisis to support local communities, drive accountability and improve water governance. www.waterwitness.org