Committee publication · Correspondence · 21 April 2026
Correspondence from the Minister of State for International Development & Africa relating to the Sub-pledge for nature-based solutions, 8 April 2026
Summary
Baroness Chapman responds to the International Development Committee's inquiry about committing to a nature-based solutions sub-pledge within the UK's next International Climate Finance (ICF4) commitment. The government confirms £6 billion of ODA as ICF over 2026/27–2028/29, plus £6.7 billion in backed investments, but declines to adopt formal sub-targets for nature, arguing outcomes-focused delivery is preferable to risk of distorted incentives. Nature remains a core priority integrated across ICF4 spending.
Key findings
- UK commits £6 billion of ODA as ICF over three years (2026/27–2028/29), maintaining climate and nature spend at ~20% of ODA budget, plus £6.7 billion in additional UK-backed investments and private-sector mobilisation
- Government will not commit to nature-based solutions sub-pledges within ICF4, arguing sub-targets risk distorting decision-making and incentivising short-term wins over long-term nature outcomes
- Nature will be a dedicated ICF4 theme integrated across climate-resilient communities, economies, ecosystems, and sustainable agriculture; UK prioritises ocean and forest protection, SIDS resilience, and Indigenous Peoples' agency
- UK champions stronger direct finance for Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) via Global Environment Facility replenishment and programmes like AMCAT; supports Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target 19 (£30 billion international climate finance by 2030)
- UK leverages multilateral development bank shareholdings to standardise nature finance reporting, ensuring accountability and full global picture of climate and nature finance flows
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Sarah Champion MP, International Development Committee, UK FCDO, Multilateral Development Banks, Global Environment Facility, Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
Notable line
“… we will focus our attention on outcomes – the question we must consider is whether sub-targets are the most effective tool for delivering real …”
Key Quotes
“We are committed to spending around £6 billion of ODA as ICF over the next three financial years (2026/27 - 2028/29), which means our climate and nature spend will remain at around 20% of our ODA budget over the Spending Review.”
“At this stage we are not yet committing to any sub-pledges as part of ICF4. This should not be seen as a reduction in our commitment to provide nature finance: it remains a core priority for our climate finance.”
“However, we will focus our attention on outcomes – the question we must consider is whether sub-targets are the most effective tool for delivering real, tangible results in the world, or whether a sub-target for nature might risk distorting decision-making, for example incentivising short-term quick wins over what is best for nature for the long-term.”
“We know that nature-based solutions are among the most impactful and cost-effective cli- mate solutions. Nature regulates our climate and is vital to climate resilience, both acting as a carbon source and sink, and helping us to adapt to the impact of climate change and boost our resilience to climate shocks.”
“We recognise that Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) are among the most effective guardians of forests and natural ecosystems and supporting them is central to our nature and climate objectives.”
“The UK has long been at the forefront of global efforts to protect forests, including brokering an agreement by over 140 world leaders at COP26 to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by”
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