Written question asked by Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 November 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 November 2023. It was answered by David Rutley (Conservative) on Wednesday, 15 November 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Western Sahara: Climate Change

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps to support people whose livelihoods have been affected by climate change in Western Sahara.

Answer: The UK is committed to tackling climate change. In the Maghreb region, climate action and collaboration to mitigate or adapt to impacts, including on agriculture, tourism and fisheries, is a priority for UK engagement and support. Such engagement forms part of our dialogue with regional governments, UN agencies, and multilateral development banks. These partners are involved in practical collaboration through initiatives such as the Breakthroughs Agenda, while bilateral programming includes work to support more accurate climate and weather data to inform action. We are also working closely with the United Arab Emirates COP28 presidency to press for additional funding for vulnerable communities.

Secondary information