BRITAIN’s controversial £14 billion aid bill will be tied to saving the planet, Theresa May has said.
The PM says time is “running out to act” and her legacy will ensure every penny spent is linked to green-related projects.
2
2
In a major overhaul, projects such as road building, education and job creation will have to be built in the greenest way with the best materials and design.
It will pave the way for her successor to combine our aid target of 0.7 per cent of GDP with lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Pressure will also be applied to banks and other donors to take similar action when giving cash for foreign aid.
Work will begin aligning projects with the Paris climate change agreement in the coming months.
The move comes as the UK set a new target in law on Thursday to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Speaking at the G20 in Osaka, Japan, she said: “We can only tackle this crisis, and fully reap the benefits of the transition, if we act together.
“So I urge everyone here to push for ambition and consider setting their own net zero targets.
“The poorest communities are being hit hardest by climate change and they are paying for it increasingly through negative impacts on clean and safe water supplies.”
MAY’S PLANS
Mrs May has made a series of announcements to secure her legacy before she leaves office at the end of July.
She has secured in law a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and offering more training to teachers to spot mental health issues.
The out-going PM also hopes to secure more education funding.
Meanwhile, the UK has also pledged three years funding worth £1.4 billion over three years through the Global Fund to fight HIV, TB and those living with AIDS.
The move will help save 16 million lives and prevent millions more being infected by the epidemics.
Sir Elton John, who has his own Aids foundation, said: “It is with profound respect that I thank the UK government for today’s historic pledge to help do just that.
“This sets an extraordinary example for others to follow and shows that in the matter of saving millions of lives and eradicating some of the world’s greatest killer diseases.”
