New Zealand has pledged $1.2 billion in climate aid for vulnerable communities

Jacinda Ardern says her country will do its bit to support communities affected by the climate emergency.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Source: Pool STUFF NZ

New Zealand has carved off a sizeable chunk of its foreign aid budget towards combating climate change, committing $1.2 billion ($1.3 billion NZD) to support vulnerable communities.

The pledge, over four years, is being made in the run-up to November's climate change conference in Glasgow, known as COP26.

Half of the commitment will go towards Pacific nations.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who travelled by boat to the tiny Pacific territory of Tokelau in her first term in office, said the funding would "assist lower-income countries to protect lives, livelihoods and infrastructure from the impacts of climate change".

"I have seen and heard first-hand the impact of climate change in our region," she said.

"We need to continue to step up our support for our Pacific family and neighbours who are on the front line of climate change and need our support most."
Ms Ardern is not heading to COP26 as New Zealand has hosting duties of the overlapping APEC leaders summit.

Climate Change Minister James Shaw will attend on her behalf, undertaking 14 days of quarantine on return to New Zealand.

The aid pledge matches a similar announcement from the United Kingdom on a per capita basis.

New Zealand is yet to finalise its emissions pledge for the conference.


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Published 18 October 2021 7:51am
Updated 22 February 2022 6:54pm
Source: AAP, SBS


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