UK undermining climate targets with export credit for fossil fuel projects abroad

(The Actuary, London, 23 August 2017) Some 99.4% of the energy support given to foreign countries between 2010 and 2014 by the government department UK Export finance (UKEF) went towards fossil fuel projects, according to new research. This is done through helping UK firms invest overseas by providing guarantees, insurance and reinsurance against loss, acting as the country’s export credit agency. The catholic charity CAFOD, which commissioned the research, argues that this is undermining progress made by other departments in tackling climate change, as well as international targets set out in the Paris Agreement.