Christian Aid response to Rishi Sunak speech at COP27

Rishi Sinak official portrait

Christian Aid has welcomed today's speech by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at COP27 in Sharm el Sheik, but called for the British government to make much more progress on green energy and compensation for loss and damage.

Mariana Paoli, from Christian Aid Global Advocacy, said: "It's welcome that Rishi Sunak has announced a new batch of funding for adaptation and renewables. We do need to see greater roll out of clean energy and more adaptation funding. But what is needed to truly help those facing the worst impacts of the climate crisis is a fund to compensate them for the permanent loss and damage they are experiencing. On that the UK has been quiet, and has even blocked progress behind the scenes.

"Rishi Sunak cannot claim to be a green leader whilst ignoring the plight of the most vulnerable.

"His Government's move to cut the UK's aid budget will hurt the world's poorest people at a time when they need help the most. Without serious climate finance and a loss and damage mechanism COP27 cannot be a success.

"That is why it is good to see Belgium announcing new funding for loss and damage. They have shown that there's no reason why the UK can't also join those developed countries recognising and responding to the obvious human need."