Written question asked by David Leslie Taylor (Labour) on Monday, 13 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 October 2003. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Monday, 20 October 2003 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the total value of support from his Department to overseas projects is for (a) the extraction and transport of fossil fuels and (b) the development of renewable energy.

Answer: David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Department for International Development what the total value of support from his Department to overseas projects is for (a) the extraction and transport of fossil fuels and (b) the development of renewable energy. [132481] Hilary Benn: DFID has not been involved in the direct funding of fossil fuel extraction arid transportation (pipeline) projects over the past three years, although we are occasionally asked to comment on the proposals of lending institutions. While recognising that countries are entitled to exploit their own natural resources, either for export purposes or to meet domestic energy requirements, full account should be taken of possible social and environmental impacts, including climate change. Our policy is to ensure that institutions providing loans or guarantees take such factors fully into account. On the renewable energy issue, DFID has funded about £3.6 million of research projects over the past 10 years, about half of this over the past three years. We have about £500,000 of project work still in progress.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 132481; 411 c364W;411 c368W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Climate change International assistance Fossil fuels Renewable energy
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk