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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC54 – UK Statement on Russia [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC54 – UK Statement on Russia [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 September 2023.

    Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the Russian Federation. As delivered by the UK’s Ambassador to the WTO and the UN, Simon Manley.

    Thank you Vice President,

    Special Rapporteur,

    Your report visibly demonstrates the rapid increase in repression since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Repression at home, aggression abroad.

    Recent legislation adopted with little public scrutiny has further restricted the fundamental rights that Russians should enjoy under international law.

    Criminal sentences have become harsher and longer. Judges are subject to political influence. Anti-war speech is criminalised.

    More than half of those arrested for anti-war activism are women, and you noted, determined to advocate for peace in the face of gender-based violence and increased restrictions on their roles in public life.

    A prohibitively hostile legal framework makes it almost impossible for non-government controlled media to operate, undermining an essential condition for free and fair elections.

    We once again condemn the politically motivated prosecution of so many who oppose Russia’s illegal invasion, including Vladimir Kara-Murza, Alexei Navalny, Ilya Yashin and Maria Ponomarenko. And we will continue to hold those responsible for human rights violations to account through our sanctions.

    Special Rapporteur, given the Russian Government’s failure to engage with your mandate, how can this Council promote the upholding of Russians’ fundamental rights, particularly freedom of expression?

  • PRESS RELEASE : Offenders help turn the tide against beach litter [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Offenders help turn the tide against beach litter [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 22 September 2023.

    Offenders will be put to work to pay back the communities they have harmed as part of a week-long nationwide clean-up of Britain’s coastline.

    • offenders clean up coastline as part of Great British Beach Clean
    • hundreds of offenders carry out hard graft to repay communities
    • part of £93 million worth of extra funding to increase unpaid work hours

    Plastic and litter will be removed by offenders wearing high-visibility jackets emblazoned with “Community Payback” on beaches up-and-down the country, as part of the Marine Conservation Society’s annual Great British Beach Clean.

    This builds on the government’s commitment to give communities a greater say in how justice is served.

    The Probation Service has partnered with several major organisations with a focus on outdoor unpaid work projects to improve the quality of life of neighbourhoods blighted by anti-social behaviour and allow the public to see justice being done.

    Its work with the Marine Conservation Society will see offenders carry out more than a thousand hours of unpaid work in just ten days in coastal areas including Kent, Northumberland and Norfolk.

    In March, the government published its Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan. Focused on stamping out these crimes, the plan sets out how Community Payback can make offenders pay for their crimes.

    Prisons and Probation Minister, Damian Hinds, visited Hayling Island in Hampshire to see offenders putting in hours of hard graft for the benefit of the local community.

    Prisons and Probation Minister, Damian Hinds, said:

    The government is coming down hard on the anti-social behaviour which makes other people’s lives a misery.

    We want offenders visibly atoning for their crimes in a way which benefits the law-abiding majority and this work also helps protect our beautiful coastline.

    The Marine Conversation Society will log the recovered rubbish and use the data gathered to help them understand the main pollutants and focus their fight to protect the British coastline.

    Jennifer Mitchell, Director of Engagement and Communications at the Marine Conservation Society, said:

    We’re pleased to see offenders making a difference to their communities and environment by contributing to our work.

    Clearing our beaches of litter is not only a great way to give back to society, it also helps us tackle ocean pollution by gathering vital data.

    Information on what is washing up on our beaches, like wet wipes or plastic bottles, is analysed by scientists and helps us campaign for change for cleaner seas and a healthier planet.

    Each year courts hand down more than 50,000 Unpaid Work requirements to punish offenders for crimes including theft, criminal damage and alcohol-related incidents.

    The government is investing up to £93 million extra into Community Payback which will see offenders completing millions of unpaid work each year to improve the environment and revitalise our towns and cities.

    This year marks 50 years since the launch of the first Community Payback project after the first unpaid work placement was ordered by a judge at Nottingham Crown Court on 2 January 1973.

    Notes to editors:

    • The Marine Conservation Society’s Great British Beach Clean runs from 15 – 24 September.
    • The Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan sets out the Government’s approach to stamping out anti-social behaviour and restoring the right of people to feel safe in, and proud of, their local area.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK–Taiwan Renewable Energy Conference highlights collaboration [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK–Taiwan Renewable Energy Conference highlights collaboration [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 September 2023.

    The 18th UK–Taiwan Renewable Energy Conference highlights floating wind, O&M for offshore wind and emerging technologies collaboration.

    With mutual goals to reach net-zero targets by 2050, the 18th UK–Taiwan Renewable Energy Conference was held today to deepen the partnership and to explore further collaboration opportunities on renewable energy development between the UK and Taiwan. More than 150 participants, including 10 British business representatives, discussed the latest global renewable energy trends, shared capabilities and best practices in floating wind development, and operations & maintenance for offshore wind. Attendees also shared insights into emerging renewable energy technologies including low carbon hydrogen, carbon capture & storage and smart grid.

    Lord Faulkner of Worcester, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Taiwan and Yi-Ling CHEN, Chief Secretary of Ministry of Economic Affairs represented the UK and Taiwan respectively to open the Conference.

    UK grid technology company Reactive Technologies and Taiwan Power Company celebrated the rollout of Reactive Technology’s GridMetrix® platform. This platform is a grid stability measurement service software that offers real-time insight into the stability of a power system, enabling grid operators like Taiwan Power to save significant costs and manage risks more effectively. This partnership will enable Taiwan Power to accurately measure, visualise, forecast and better control inertia across its network and provide critical system stability data and insights as the network goes through a period of significant transition from fossil fuels and to renewable energy.

    Lord Faulkner of Worcester, the UK Trade Envoy to Taiwan said:

    The UK is committed to collaborating with international partners like Taiwan to overcome the challenges in energy transition, in particular the ones faced by the offshore wind industry. This is to ensure we collectively achieve our shared sustainability and net zero goals. The partnership between the UK’s Reactive Technologies and Taiwan Power Company is a great example of UK-Taiwan cooperation. This development will support stability and resilience of the power grid for Taiwan’s energy transition.

    Yi-Ling CHEN, Chief Secretary of Ministry of Economic Affairs, remarked:

    The cooperation between Taiwan and the UK has been ongoing for 17 years. Both sides consider offshore wind as a key focus for cooperation, covering aspects including planning, investigation, construction and operation. Besides the promotion of offshore wind, the development of other emerging renewable energy such as floating wind, hydrogen, carbon capture and storage is also crucial. We appreciate the valuable information regarding renewable energy shared by the UK during previous conferences.

    Umair Choudhry, APAC Regional Energy Lead, Department for Business and Trade as the UK Chair of the 18th UK-Taiwan Renewable Energy Conference said:

    This conference has highlighted the strong and growing partnership between the UK and Taiwan in the renewable energy sector, especially in offshore wind. The UK has a wealth of knowledge, experience and resources which can support Taiwan to develop its offshore wind industry. Let us build a strong and lasting partnership between the UK and Taiwan – one that places sustainability at the forefront of our vision for the future.

    Taiwan Chair, Cheng-Wei YU, Director General of Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs, said:

    The UK is in a leading position in the global renewable energy field, and Taiwan has long considered the UK as an important partner in developing renewable energy and achieving energy transition goals. We are very pleased to witness the collaboration between Taiwan and the UK in grid stability monitoring services during this conference, and we look forward to more companies from Taiwan and the UK establishing partnerships in the renewable energy field.

    Taiwan is the UK’s most important offshore wind partner in the Asia Pacific Region. More than 40 UK offshore wind companies have set up operation in Taiwan; many of these offices serving as the regional Asia-Pacific hub.

    More information

    1. The UK-Taiwan renewable energy conference is held annually and co-hosted by British Office Taipei and Bureau of Energy of Ministry of Economic Affairs.
    2. Reactive Technologies is a grid resilience technology company helping grid operators, electric utilities, and regulators transition to net zero and ensure resilient renewables-based power grids. More information please visit Reactive Technologies Limited
    3. 10 British businesses participating in the 18th UK-Taiwan Renewable Energy Conference are:
  • PRESS RELEASE : New teaching resource helps English students around the world learn about the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New teaching resource helps English students around the world learn about the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 22 September 2023.

    English language students worldwide will learn about the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and its contribution to peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland.

    English language students worldwide will learn about the journey to the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and its contribution to peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland, thanks to a new teaching resource developed as part of the Northern Ireland Office’s (NIO) programme to mark the Agreement’s 25th anniversary.

    The NIO, together with the British Council, have today (Friday, 22 September) launched the new resource, named “25 Years On: Marking the 25th Anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement,” in Colombia.

    British Ambassador to Colombia, George Hodgson, was one of the first to witness international students use the new resource as he joined a British Council English language class in the city of Bogota. The Ambassador enjoyed participating in an   English lesson with students who were learning more about the history of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, how the peace process was achieved between the UK and Irish Governments and the parties in Northern Ireland, and the role of positive language in conflict resolution more widely.

    The resource is part of the NIO’s programme to mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. This new teaching English resource, which is suitable for both beginner and intermediate learners, has been adapted by the British Council from a suite of educational resources produced by The National Archives for pupils across the UK.

    The resource will be available globally through the British Council’s online Teaching English network, which currently reaches over six million learners in 238 countries. It will also be used in the British Council’s English language Teaching Centres, which welcomes more than 400,000 learners in over 100 countries every year.

    Commenting on the resource, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris stated:

    “It’s marvellous that language students around the world will learn English while also studying the history of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.

    “The Agreement is a globally respected example of conflict resolution which represents a great landmark achievement in the history of Northern Ireland, the wider United Kingdom, and Ireland.

    “It’s absolutely right that this teaching resource marks the Agreement around the globe in its 25th anniversary year.”

    Jonathan Stewart, Director, British Council Northern Ireland said:

    “I am delighted to announce the launch of our new Teaching English resource in partnership with the Northern Ireland Office.

    “This milestone resource commemorates the historic Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in its 25th year and encourages English language learners to find out more about the Agreement through lessons which teach the language of negotiation and compromise in conflict resolution.

    “At the British Council, English language teaching is at the heart of what we do, and we hope through this new resource that learners from around the world will not only enhance their English language skills but also gain a deeper understanding of the history and significance of the Northern Ireland peace process.

    “As it becomes available globally through our Teaching English network, we aim to reach thousands of learners, fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of diplomacy, dialogue, and reconciliation.”

    British Ambassador to Colombia George Hodgson said:

    “The Belfast Good Friday Agreement, signed 25 years ago, marked an end to decades of violence – a message of peace and progress around the world. In Colombia – a country which reached its own landmark peace agreement in 2016 – the parallels are particularly striking. I’m delighted that students learning English here – the first generation of young people since the peace deal was signed – will be able to learn about Northern Ireland and our shared experiences.”

    The resource is now available on the British Council’s Teaching English website. To access the teaching materials and find out more, please visit: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/belfast-good-friday-peace-agreement-classroom-resources

    The British Council supports 100 million English learners worldwide with online resources and connects with more than four million teachers and educators online each year – the world’s largest global network of teachers.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £25 million for projects using nature to increase flood resilience [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : £25 million for projects using nature to increase flood resilience [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 22 September 2023.

    £25 million for projects using nature to increase flood resilience.

    £25 million will be invested in projects that use nature to protect communities from flooding, Environment Minister Rebecca Pow announced today (22 September).

    The ring-fenced funding, provided by the Government and the Environment Agency, will support natural flood management schemes across England that use techniques such as planting trees and creating wetlands to slow and store water to reduce the risk of flooding. These schemes are also proven to improve air and water quality, provide habitats for wildlife and create green spaces for communities.

    This new funding builds on the £15m natural flood management pilot programme which ran until 2021. Across the 60 pilot projects supported by this programme, the equivalent of 1.6 million cubic metres of water storage was created and 15,000 homes were better protected from flooding, while 4,000 hectares of habitat and 610 kilometres of river were improved and 100 hectares of woodland were planted.

    The £25 million will also help harness the power of nature and support the Environment Agency’s FCERM Strategy, which provides a longer-term vision of how we will create climate-resilient places and better protect and prepare homes and businesses from flooding and coastal change.

    Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:

    Nature is an essential weapon in our armoury against flooding. Enhancing the natural landscape to slow rivers and hold flood water works hand-in-hand with the bricks and mortar protection we are building with our £5.2 billion flood programme.

    That is why we are driving investment to harness the power of nature. This approach not only reduces flood risk and helps tackle climate change, it can also benefit water quality, restore habitats and boost biodiversity. Natural flood management is a win-win-win.

    Environment Agency chair Alan Lovell said:

    In the face of a changing climate, and with the frequency and severity of flooding only likely to get worse, we need to act now.

    The pioneers who already work with nature-based solutions to achieve greater flood resilience give me hope. I am delighted this new Natural Flood Management Programme will be open to environmental groups, catchment partnerships, farmers, landowners, and local authorities to speed up more investment in natural flood management.

    Natural flood management gives us so many wider benefits and I look forward to seeing projects coming forward that also help to create habitats for wildlife, support better river quality, and sequester carbon.

    Projects supported by the £15m pilot include the Dorking Natural Flood Management Scheme, instigated after Pipp Brook in the Surrey Hills flooded due to its steep slopes. The partners created ‘wet woodland’ that benefits biodiversity and 30 ‘leaky barriers’ that allow water to spill into the natural floodplain, stopping too much water flooding into Dorking.

    In Warwickshire, Shipston Area Flood Action Group, a community-led volunteer team, reduced the risk of flooding for homes and businesses by using natural flood management across the River Stour. Having started putting measures in place in 2017, the group now has more than 700 leaky barriers and ponds to slow the flow of water during heavy rainfall, reducing the flood risk to 17 villages and towns. The project was supported by £275,000 of Government funding. This scheme won the Environment Agency Flood and Coast Excellence 2021 Award for Community Partnership.

    Elsewhere, the South East Rivers Trust and the London Borough of Sutton worked in partnership to install sustainable urban drainage systems within six schools in the area, including gardens to absorb rain running off school buildings. This helped reduce the flood risk to the schools and other properties and improve the water quality of the River Wandle, a chalk stream. The South East Rivers Trust was awarded £92,000 as part of the programme.

    The new funding is available to environmental non-governmental organisations, businesses, farmers, catchment partnerships, flood risk management authorities and community groups.

    Successful projects will cover a large enough area to provide demonstrable flood risk benefits. The Environment Agency will manage the programme. Expressions of interest open today (22 September 2023) and will close on 10 November 2023. Projects will be delivered during 2024-27.

    Please follow these links for guidance on submitting expressions of interest and for the programme prospectus.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK urges all parties to respect ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh – UN Security Council statement [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK urges all parties to respect ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh – UN Security Council statement [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 September 2023.

    Statement by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and United Nations at the United Nations Security Council.

    Thank you Mr President and thank you also to Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his update to this Council.

    We welcome – in particular – the participation by Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov in today’s important discussion. It’s good to see you both again, today. We wish it was under slightly difference circumstances, I’m sure.

    But like others around this table, the United Kingdom has been alarmed about the formidable pressures that have been faced by the population of Nagorno-Karabakh. The humanitarian need on the ground is immense, it is growing, it is great.

    Earlier this week, like as we’ve heard already from the Minister of State for the UAE, we were all encouraged indeed when we saw that news, albeit small, that there was a small scale movement of humanitarian goods that had taken place, via both the Lachin and Aghdam roads into Nagorno-Karabakh.

    This opportunity for progress, however, was sadly cut short by Azerbaijan’s announcement of the start of a military operation. Together with many of our partners, the United Kingdom has urged Azerbaijan to end its use of force, refrain from further escalatory action, and importantly return to dialogue.

    While we fully recognise issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity, military might cannot be used to resolve tensions between communities – direct dialogue is the only way to find genuine, sustainable peace, genuine, sustainable solutions.

    It is now vital that talks resume with representatives of the Karabakhi Armenians, on the basis of a credible plan to ensure the rights and security of everyone in the region, and to allow them to live in peace.

    And at this time in particular, the United Nations and international organisations, such as the ICRC, can also provide crucial assistance in addressing immediate and long-term humanitarian needs.

    The further use of violence, Mr President, will only serve to undermine tentative progress towards a sustainable peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which should be based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries, which is unquestionably in the interests of the entire South Caucasus.

    The United Kingdom on our part welcomes yesterday’s announcement of a ceasefire. We therefore strongly urge all parties to respect that ceasefire, to end the violence, and to engage in urgent, open dialogue on a safe and secure future for the people of the region. And I assure you of our good offices, Mr President, that we stand ready as the United Kingdom to support that crucial process in any way we can.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 September 2023.

    An overview of Minister of State, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon’s participation in the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting in New York.

    Today (21 September), Minister for the Commonwealth, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, strengthened the UK’s commitment to the Commonwealth by announcing up to £3 million of support for international standards, which will reduce barriers to trade between the 56 nations.

    At the 23rd Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) in New York, Lord Ahmad announced £2.75 million to directly support Commonwealth countries through the UK’s new Standards Partnership Programme. In addition, £250, 000 of funding will re-energise the Commonwealth Standards Network (CSN).

    This work, led by the British Standards Institution (BSI), will support developing countries to use internationally agreed standards, enhancing trade and boosting sustainable and inclusive growth. This will also ensure substantive training resources are available to support all Commonwealth members and open trade opportunities for international businesses, including from the UK.

    Lord Ahmad reiterated the Foreign Secretary’s vision of ensuring the organisation focuses on areas where it can deliver the greatest benefits to Commonwealth citizens, trade and investment, climate and the environment, and the values set out in the Commonwealth Charter.

    The Prime Minister of Samoa gave an update on preparations for the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held in Apia in 2024, the first CHOGM to be held in a small island developing state in the Blue Pacific continent. Lord Ahmad responded by setting out the UK’s strong support for Samoa’s hosting of CHOGM and welcomed their chosen theme of increasing the resilience of Commonwealth countries to a range of global challenges.

    Lord Ahmad further urged the Commonwealth to use its powerful collective voice to build global momentum on climate action and environmental protection, and take practical steps towards increasing the resilience of small states to climate and economic shocks.

    Foreign ministers also discussed the ongoing work to reform the Commonwealth institutions, as mandated by Heads of Commonwealth countries during their last meeting in Kigali.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £10 million flood defence project reaches new milestone [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : £10 million flood defence project reaches new milestone [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 21 September 2023.

    A multi-million project on the Essex coast has reached a new milestone after thousands of tonnes of rock armour arrived from Norway.

    At Cockett Wick, over 14,000 tonnes of Norwegian Granite have been brought in by barge over the last 6 weeks to reinforce flood defences. The new armour, which was placed in front of the Jaywick Martello tower, is part of a much larger scheme to protect the community living along the coast.

    The next phase of work is already underway as over 150 steel piles are being installed to help strengthen and raise the seawall. The construction of a new concrete wall and footpath will begin in the next few weeks.

    Together, the work will help to protect over 3,000 properties and businesses. The changes will help ensure this part of the Essex coast remains protected despite climate change and sea level rise.

    John Lindsay, Essex coastal engineer for the Environment Agency, said:

    We’re really pleased with the progress that has been made at Cockett Wick so far. The work will make a real difference to improving flood protection for the local community.

    We would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding whilst we undertake these important works.

    Everyone should know their flood risk and sign up for free flood warnings by visiting gov.uk and search flood or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188. You can also follow @EnvAgencyAnglia for the latest flood updates.

    The defences are designed to be raised again in 50 years’ time to ensure another 50 years of protection, all while maintaining views of the sea.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC54 – UK Statement on Ethiopia [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC54 – UK Statement on Ethiopia [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 September 2023.

    Interactive dialogue with the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia. Delivered by the UK’s Ambassador to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

    Thank you, Mr Vice-President.

    While the conflict in Ethiopia has diminished, it certainly has not, unfortunately, disappeared.  We are deeply concerned by the latest reports of clashes in Amhara and Oromia, and the continuing situation in Tigray, where Eritrean forces are still present.  The human rights implications of these are still severe, and require independent investigation.

    It is clear there are still deep divisions and tensions in Ethiopia, which must be reconciled. In this regard, we welcome the Pretoria Peace Agreement, which must be implemented rapidly and in full. In particular, we stress the importance of genuine accountability for violations and abuses, and a credible, impartial, independent transitional justice process, and note the Government of Ethiopia’s commitment to this.  We urge them to implement this in a way that is credible to all victims, across all ethnic groups. We also call on Ethiopia to work with its international partners in support of its stability and economic development.

    Commissioners,

    Thank you for your important report, and your excellent work.  What do you see are the main barriers to accountability for human rights in Ethiopia, and how can implementation of Ethiopia’s Transitional Justice policy be best supported by the international community?

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint UK-France statement – Climate Mobilisation Forum [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint UK-France statement – Climate Mobilisation Forum [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 21 September 2023.

    Joint statement related to the Climate Mobilisation Forum on 21 September 2023.

    In a gathering at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, President Macron and His Majesty the King Charles III heard from company chief executives and leading organisations on how they are supporting action on tackling climate change and nature loss in emerging and developing economies.

    Attending as part of His Majesty’s State visit to France, the gathering followed the Climate and Nature Finance Mobilisation Forum. It builds on long-standing collaboration between the UK and France to accelerate action on climate change and protecting the natural environment. Both governments are committed to deepening this further, and to increasing support for emerging and developing economies, as reconfirmed through the Joint Leaders’ Declaration made at the 36th France – United Kingdom Summit, held in Paris in March 2023.

    Today’s event was convened by France’s Minister for Higher Education and Research, Sylvie Retailleau, Minister for the Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, Christophe Béchu, and Minister for the Energy Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, and UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho, and Minister for Biosecurity, Marine and Rural Affairs, Lord Benyon. It brought together key figures from the private and public sector to identify how we can go faster to mobilise investment and financing to deploy climate and nature solutions in emerging and developing economies.

    The event builds on the Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum held earlier this year in Windsor, at which financial institutions and philanthropists announced a range of new investment platforms and initiatives, demonstrating their commitment to concrete actions to finance climate efforts in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

    It also follows on from the commitments on climate and nature made by the UK and France during the UN General Assembly this week in New York, and at the Summit on a New Global Financing Pact in June 2023, at which France and the UK launched a joint initiative to promote funding for nature protection and restoration. A key part of this was the creation of a new International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits co-chaired by Chair of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew Dame Amelia Fawcett and Former Deputy Governor of the Banque de France Sylvie Goulard. The panel brings together existing initiatives and a diverse range of perspectives to guide the development of biodiversity credits, which are a new tool for raising private sector investment for protecting and restoring biodiversity.

    Participants at the Forum held today discussed practical actions that investors and companies are already taking to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss and what more can be done to increase investment particularly in emerging markets and developing economies. Many of those attending made new announcements and set out how they are implementing their existing commitments.

    The companies involved today made the following announcements:

    Ardian, a French private investment house, and aDryada, a French biodiversity operator, join forces to launch the Averrhoa Nature-Based Solutions Fund, dedicated to large-scale nature-based projects, with a strong positive impact on climate, biodiversity and local communities. It will allow investments for a total of up to €1.5 billion.

    Designed to accelerate the strategies of investors and companies in the protection and regeneration of nature and the fight against climate change, this Fund aims to build a portfolio of around 15 diversified projects of reforestation, afforestation, restoration of mangroves and wetlands allowing for the removal of c. 150 million tons of carbon. These projects will be based on the three pillars of climate, biodiversity and providing benefits for local communities, complying with the most demanding international standards and generating high-quality carbon credits.

    Averrhoa Nature-Based Solutions Fund will deploy capital globally, mostly in emerging markets and developing economies.

    Amundi is taking a new step in the deployment of its strategy to contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and the investment into natural capital.

    After engaging 385 companies in 2021 and 2022 to trigger improvements in integrating biodiversity into their strategy, Amundi is proud to join Nature Action 100, the largest global investor’s coalition dedicated to foster action on natural capital, building on the success of Climate Action 100.

    Amundi has already launched 2 thematic funds linked to the biodiversity thematic: one on the blue economy and another one to support the transition to a circular economy taking into account the biodiversity footprint.

    Amundi is also working on a first fully dedicated biodiversity fund, which is to be launched in the coming months.

    In 2022, AXA, Unilever, and Tikehau Capital committed to create a €1bn private equity impact investment fund. This fund is unique by its size, thematic approach towards regenerative agriculture, and partnership gathering AXA’s specialised arm in climate adaptation and impact financing (AXA Climate), a large multinational consumer packaged goods company and an experienced fund manager in climate-related investments. They are now launching a €120 million investment in Biobest, a pioneer in sustainable crop management solutions, in particular in biocontrols that replace conventional pesticides. Biocontrols help farmers derisk their transition to regenerative agriculture practices during 5 to 10 years to restore the ecosystem on the field. With the investment, Biobest will acquire Biotrop, a Brazilian company active in bioinput, highly complementary to their own offer and impact generation.

    Cool Earth, have pioneered unconditional grants to rainforest communities from Peru to Papua New Guinea and are regarded as the most effective approach, and are pleased to announce the roll out of a unique programme that provides regular cash grants to 2,000 households in the Peruvian Amazon putting decisions and control in the hands of the people who have most to lose from forest destruction and contributing to keeping 290,000 hectares safe.

    Kering launched the Climate Fund for Nature at the COP15 on biodiversity in 2022. In partnership with L’Occitane Group, €140 million have already been committed, and new investors are expected to join this effort with the aim of reaching a total objective of €300 million.

    Nine months after its creation, the Fund is fully operational and Kering is thrilled to announce the funding of a first project on the ground to protect primary forests in Peru (for an amount of €2 million) in partnership with a local NGO and indigenous communities. Various other projects are at an advanced study stage, including the restoration of mangroves and land in Latin America, West Africa and South-East Asia.

    Finally, Kering will renew its financial support to the Museum of Natural History’s endowment fund to assist them in their work on biodiversity certificates, which are intended to establish a science-based methodology for creating a voluntary market for biodiversity credits, similar to what already exists for carbon.

    LVMH is pleased to announce that it will join the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (CBA) as a Founder Member. The CBA was established in 2020 by His Majesty King Charles III (then His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales) to demonstrate, through Living Labs on the ground, a holistic approach to landscape restoration and value chain creation that works for people, for nature and for the planet. LVMH is already working with the CBA through its support of a Living Lab in Chad that produces cotton sustainably, using agroforestry systems and regenerative farming techniques in partnership with local communities.

    Mirova is continuing to roll out its Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) fund with an investment of €8.5 million in Pamoja, an impact company specialising in sustainable land use, and a reference for sustainable macadamia nut production in East Africa. Pamoja supports nearly 6,000 small macadamia nut growers in Kenya in their efforts to promote sustainable agricultural land management practices. In Tanzania, Pamoja develops certified farms of macadamia nuts, under agroforestry systems. The investment will contribute to the development of Pamoja’s projects in Kenya and Tanzania, with the aim of contributing to sustainable land management over 6,200 hectares of land and reaching 13,000 local smallholder farmers. Mirova is a mission-driven, B Corp certified asset manager 100% dedicated to sustainable investing.

    Safaricom, a Kenyan telecom operator and an associate business in Vodafone Group, will invest KES 15-20 billion (~€96 – €128 million) into a major environmental improvement programme. The company intends to reduce its CO2 emissions by accelerating the roll-out of more energy efficient fibre-to-the-home and fibre-to-the-building broadband to customers; to increase the usage of solar energy to power its network; to reduce plastic usage in its store network; and to increase the recycling of electronic waste, including redundant customer handsets. Safaricom has secured the largest Sustainability Linked Loan ever undertaken in East Africa. The funding was provided by a consortium of four banks: Standard Chartered Bank; Stanbic Bank; ABSA Bank; and KCB Bank.

    Tikehau Capital, the global alternative asset management group, is in the process of partnering with the Natural Capital Investment Alliance (NCIA). This collaboration aims to advance the Terra Carta’s mission of prioritising nature, people and the planet at the forefront of global value creation. Furthermore, Tikehau Capital announces the first investment of its €1bn private equity impact strategy dedicated to regenerative agriculture and the launch of the second vintage of its decarbonisation strategy, which aims to mobilise between €2 and €3 billion. The first vintage, launched in 2018, successfully raised €1.4 billion and became one of the largest private equity vehicles exclusively committed to empowering companies that are at the forefront of efforts to decarbonise the economy.

    This is in addition to recent pledges and initiatives from Forum participants showcasing climate and nature leadership:

    Actis has pledged, through its Actis Energy 5 vehicle, $6bn of investable capital to renewable energy investment over the next 3 years, across 9 renewable energy businesses who will collectively deliver over 50 wind, solar and battery storage projects to both utility scale and commercial and industrial customers in Latin America, Asia, the Middle-East & Africa, the US and Central & Eastern Europe. A separate strategy will focus on transition in Asia including energy efficiency and sustainable mobility. Actis will build on its track record of delivering over 180 renewable energy projects across 35 countries over the last 20 years. With sustainability integral to Actis’ investment strategy, Actis continues to focus on a just energy transition – transformation for communities, investors and planet.

    This year, both the International Development Finance Club (IDFC) – the group of 26 national and regional development banks from all over the world, and AFD Group – the French development bank and IDFC chair – announced record high levels of climate and biodiversity finance.

    IDFC members reported a record high of 288 billion USD in total green finance commitments in 2022, a 29% increase from 2021, of which 32 billion USD were allocated to adaptation finance, a 52% increase from 2021. Cumulatively, green finance commitments by IDFC members surpassed 1.5 trillion USD since the Paris Agreement in 2015.

    With €6.9 billion in 2022 of climate finance approved in developing countries and Overseas France, AFD Group reached a new record level too, which makes the Group one of the main international climate finance providers.

    Bank of America recently made an investment in responsAbility’s Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Fund, which provides long-term debt to innovative businesses in the food value chain in emerging markets. The fund could potentially transform 300,000 hectares to climate-smart practices, drive sustainable land use and reduce about 8 million tons of GHG emissions. It builds on other ways that Bank of America is deploying capital into blended finance vehicles focusing on natural capital. Previously, Bank of America also committed to Bamboo Capital’s Agri-Business Capital (ABC) Fund and the InsuResilience Debt Fund, both driving private capital to largely underserved segments of small agricultural holders and farmers in developing countries. Each of these funds is addressing issues of land use, biodiversity and greenhouse gas emissions while creating sustainable food supply, jobs and economic benefits as well as climate resilience for local communities.

    Egis, a global consultancy, construction engineering, and operations firm, allocates 38% of its R&D budget to climate action and biodiversity conservation. Through nature-based solutions like Soil.is, Egis is assisting countries such as Côte d’Ivoire and Congo to diagnose soil health and implement approaches to boost carbon sequestration around major infrastructure. Its Seaboost initiative has aided the Philippines to mitigate flood risk whilst safeguarding local populations and biodiversity. These innovations underscore Egis’s belief that climate and biodiversity solutions must evolve hand-in-hand. By 2030, the company will integrate sustainable design practices in every project, part of a wider strategy that has already seen 45% of its 2022 revenue contribute to sustainable transition. Solidifying its commitment, Egis secured a landmark Sustainability-Linked Loan in 2023 to finance its growth in alignment with its environmental, social and governance objectives.

    ENGIE is stepping up its engagement for climate. Firmly committed to achieve its Net Zero Ambition worldwide by 2045, it will reach Net Zero in 4 countries as early as 2030. To reach this target, it will invest €22-25bn between 2023 and 2025. Concretely, it develops energy transition projects in both developed and developing economies, such as the 150MW utility scale battery in the former Australian coalmine site of Hazelwood, a new 3GW windfarm as part of the Ras Ghareb consortium in Egypt and the recent acquisition of BTE Renewables in South Africa including 340MW of installed capacity.

    Federated Hermes Limited is pioneering work directing public and private capital into nature while targeting 80% alignment with 1.5C by 2030 across its public markets portfolio, through active engagement with over 190 companies whose market cap tops USD 10 trillion.

    In late 2022, the firm announced the development of a UK Nature Impact Investment fund to invest in nature-based solutions across land, coasts, rivers and sea. With the UK government committing £30 million, and with strong private capital interest, it is now committing to raising £400 million in the medium term.

    Federated Hermes Limited also launched its Biodiversity Fund in 2022, devoting capital to companies globally that provide solutions around biodiversity loss or lead their sector on nature. Drawing on its partnership with the Natural History Museum in London, the fund has raised over £50 million since launch and is now aiming to exceed £100 million of assets by the end of 2024.

    Haleon is committed to helping break down social and environmental barriers that hold people back from better everyday health. Recognising the worsening impact of climate change on health, the company works with industry peers through the ‘Climate and Health Coalition’ to mobilise action. Haleon created ‘The Clean Breathing Institute’ to support pharmacists to give trusted advice to patients on mitigating the impact of air pollution on their respiratory health. The business has 1.5 degree-aligned near-term Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon reduction targets, which were recently validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. During its 2022 reporting period, Haleon reduced its net Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 41% versus its 2020 baseline, driven by steps including switching to 100% renewable electricity across the sites the business directly controls.

    The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), the governing body of skiing and snowboarding, has established the FIS Rainforest Initiative and committed to investing in communities in Peru by supporting the charity Cool Earth. The deforestation project focuses on educating local young people to become tomorrow’s successful farmers and protectors of the rainforest. By off-setting its total carbon footprint many times over through the Rainforest Initiative, FIS has become the world’s first Climate Positive sports federation.

    Pollination is a joint project owner in Delta Blue Carbon (DBC), the largest coastal blue carbon project in the world. Across two phases, the project will restore more than 4000 km2 of degraded mangroves, while further conserving an area of approximately 2000 km2, and will produce an estimated total of 244 million carbon credits. The project is underpinned by strong benefit sharing mechanisms across education, healthcare, economic development and gender equality, with approximately 60% of the revenue from carbon credit sales reinvested back into the local communities.

    When combined, these are landscape – scale projects which aim to protect and restore the entire ecosystem and bring increased climate resiliency to the southern Sindh province, an area severely impacted by climate change in the floods of 2022. Quite simply there is no other successful restoration project in its class. The second phase, DBC-2, is currently in the fundraising stage.

    The members of the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s (SMI’s) Financial Services Task Force have committed over $9 trillion to support the transition to net zero by 2030 (or sooner) and have already provided and mobilized over $2.5 trillion in capital as part of those commitments since 2020 to 2021. The SMI continues to work to align industry, investment and country roadmaps to accelerate the deployment of private sector capital with a focus on emerging and development markets.