MPs on the International Development Committee have called on UK ministers to make major changes to the way it tackles climate change internationally.
In a report released today, the Committee highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls in the poorest countries.
International charity ActionAid UK – which works with women and girls – contributed to the Committee's inquiry, providing evidence of the impact of climate change on the poorest women around the world.
Commenting, Amiera Sawas – a senior policy researcher at ActionAid UK, who contributed to the report – said:
“It’s welcome to see the International Development Committee recognising the vital importance of tackling climate change – because failure to act now risks undermining gains that have been made on women’s rights and poverty reduction around the world. As the Committee’s report notes, climate change is already having a disproportionate impact on women and girls in the poorest countries – communities that did nothing to contribute to the problem.
"Ahead of this year’s UN Climate Action Summit, now is the time for the UK to act. The Government should step up, and commit to doing more to help the poorest and most vulnerable communities – both before and after climate-related disasters.”
ENDS
For further information, contact alice.gillham@actionaid.org or +44 (0) 203 122 0513; or if out of hours, on +44 (0) 7753 973 486.
Notes to editors
1. ActionAid is an international charity that works with women and girls living in poverty in over 40 countries around the world.