UK's climate finance cuts betray the world's poorest, say Quakers
Quakers in Britain are deeply disappointed at government plans to slash funding that protects nature and tackles climate change in the world's poorest countries.
The full scale of the reductions is hard to pin down as there is no transparent accounting system for international climate finance.
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"We will all suffer grievously if these ecosystems are lost
- Tanya Jones, climate justice lead, Quakers in Britain
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But, together with other reported cuts, this represents a significant failure by this government to keep faith with its international obligations, Quakers say.
The cuts are as unnecessary as they are damaging because the money to stop them is sitting right in front of ministers, Quakers say.
A two per cent tax on personal assets over £10 million could raise up to £24 billion a year while scrapping fossil fuel tax breaks would save £2.7 billion more.
A windfall tax on energy company profits could have added another £3 billion last year alone.
Tanya Jones, climate justice lead for Quakers in Britain, said: “The climate crisis is intensifying, and its heaviest blows fall upon people and communities who are least responsible for carbon emissions.
“These are often those who do most to care for the natural world and whose voices are least listened to by rich countries such as the UK."
Quakers are calling on the government to reverse course before it is too late.
"There is still time for the government to recall its responsibilities, keep its pledges and recognise that the natural world benefits us all, wherever we are," Jones said.
"We will all suffer grievously if these ecosystems are lost."