UK to provide £100m to vulnerable countries tackling climate change

International development minister Andrew Mitchell to announce funding during Cop28 Health Day

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks during a high-level segment on day two of the Cop28 climate conference at Expo City Dubai. Bloomberg

The UK government has announced that it will provide £100 million ($126 million) for vulnerable countries tackling climate change.

International development minister Andrew Mitchell will make the commitment in Dubai at the Cop28 climate summit on Sunday.

Almost a fifth of the funding will support early warning systems in countries on the front line of climate change, giving people advanced warning of cyclones, flooding and other extreme weather events.

Up to £18 million will be earmarked for programmes designed to help countries manage the growing health impacts of climate change, from flooding-caused spikes in infectious diseases such as cholera and malaria to food shortages, water insecurity and other health-related emergencies.

Funding of £36 million will also provide climate action in the Middle East and North Africa to support long-term climate stability.

The Cop28 climate summit is expected to adopt three declarations on health and conflict during Health Day on Sunday.

On behalf of the UK, Mr Mitchell will endorse, ‘Getting Ahead of Disasters’ Charter, the ‘Cop28 Declaration on Relief, Recovery and Peace’, and the ‘Cop28 Declaration on Climate and Health’.

“The devastating effects of climate change hit the most vulnerable the hardest”, Mr Mitchell said.

“These funding commitments will help countries and people be better prepared and protected against extreme weather events and natural disasters.

Cop27 President Sameh Shoukry, left, hands over the gavel to Cop28 President Dr Sultan Al Jaber at the UN climate conference's opening ceremony. AFP

Dr Sultan Al Jaber speaks during the opening session at Expo City Dubai. AP

King Charles III visiting Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus during the Cop28 summit. PA

Sameh Shoukry, Cop27 President, centre, attends the opening session. AP

US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry attends the Cop28 opening session. Reuters

Raquel Sousa Chaves from Brazil at Cop28. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Visitors on the first day of Cop28. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Recyclable wind turbines on show on the first day of Cop28. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A plant-based food cafe at Cop28. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Vegan activists on the first day of Cop28. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Pollution Pods, an installation by British artist Michael Pinsky, where Cop28 visitors can safely experience the air pollution in Beijing and other cities. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Indigenous leaders and climate campaigners are among the attendees at Cop28. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Fair-trade vegan chocolate being handed out at Cop28. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Day one at Cop28, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Cop28, Dubai Expo City. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The first day of Cop28. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Cop28, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The first day of Cop 28 at Expo City, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

National flags on display at the UN climate summit. AP

Delegates arriving for the opening of Cop28. Pawan Singh / The National

More than 70,000 delegates, including world leaders, climate scientists, business leaders and young people, are expected to attend. Pawan Singh / The National

Delegates will engage in a stock take to see how pledges to limit global warming are being implemented. Pawan Singh / The National

The summit aims to keep on track efforts to restrict global warming to less than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Pawan Singh / The National

Hora – The Unity Dance artwork, by Marius Diaconu, on display at Cop28. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Cop28 runs until December 12. Chris Whiteoak / The National

“The UK will continue to press for a bold and ambitious approach to support those on the front line of our changing climate, and to create a safer planet for us all.”

The £100 million forms part of the £1.6 billion of climate aid announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during his visit to Cop28.

On Sunday, the UK will convene experts and thought leaders for a panel discussion on climate security.

It will be the first time that the UK has hosted such an event, with the US, the EU, Iraq, Kenya, Mali, Nato, and United Nations Development Programme expected to attend.