Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

British Overseas Territories: Climate Change Adaptation

Tuesday 12 December 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The FCDO is working with overseas territories to develop climate security assessments through the conflict, stability and security fund.
  • The FCDO Minister responsible for the overseas territories was recently appointed, and the Prime Minister has directed every Department to have a Minister covering responsibilities to the OTs.
  • The UK is engaged in significant work on the blue belt programme and has facilitated access to funding for overseas territories at COP28.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 James Sunderland
Climate Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from the need to support UK overseas territories in adapting to climate change impacts.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support the overseas territories with climate change adaptation. I am concerned about the specific measures being taken to ensure these territories are prepared for and can adapt to changing climatic conditions.

Answer from David Rutley

The FCDO is working in partnership with the territories to develop climate security assessments through the conflict, stability and security fund. Our blue planet programme has provided over £35 million since 2016 to enhance marine protection and build climate change resilience.

Answered
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Q2 James Sunderland
Climate Foreign Affairs
Context

The question follows up on the initial query regarding climate change adaptation, focusing on governance structures within the FCDO to better support overseas territories.

Question

I am reassured that the UK is investing heavily in climate change adaptation. Does my hon. Friend agree that the best way of future-proofing that is for the FCDO to appoint a dedicated Minister for all the overseas territories and to ensure that the UK never relinquishes sovereignty for any of them?

Answer from David Rutley

I have recently been appointed as the FCDO Minister responsible for the overseas territories. Furthermore, the Prime Minister has made it clear that every Department should have a Minister whose portfolio covers responsibilities to the OTs. The UK has no doubt about its sovereignty over the overseas territories. Any decision to end British sovereignty should be on the basis of a clear constitutionally expressed wish of the territory's people.

Answered
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Q3 Stephen Doughty Labour (Co-op) Cardiff South and Penarth
Climate Environment
Context

The question addresses the conservation efforts in marine areas under UK responsibility, specifically focusing on the unique species found there.

Question

As you know, Mr Speaker, our global British family in the UK overseas territories contains 94% of all the unique species that the UK is responsible for. These huge marine areas throughout the world's oceans are hugely vulnerable to climate change, yet are negligible contributors to it. It has been great to see more OTs sign up to the blue belt initiative, work with groups such as Great British Oceans and attend the recent COP. What is the Minister doing to encourage more overseas territories to join the blue belt and to assist overseas territories to get access to strategic international funding for conservation, adaptation and resilience?

Answer from David Rutley

It is an important question. Our need to tackle climate change extends widely to the OTs. We have done significant work on the blue belt programme, and we have engaged a large number of OTs at COP28 this year so that we can help push forward their work and give greater access to this funding. It is vitally important.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for details on encouraging more overseas territories to join the blue belt initiative and securing strategic international funding was not directly addressed with concrete steps or commitments.

How: It Is An Important Question.

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