Published 08:46 IST, September 23rd 2019
Boris Johnson pledges £1.2B to fight climate change, ahead of UN Summi
As the UK PM, Boris Johnson prepares to attend the United Nations summit, he has decided to combine funds worth £1.2 billion to fight climate emergency
As the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson prepares to attend the 74th United Nations General Assembly summit, he has also decided to combine funds worth £1.2 billion to fight climate emergency and protect the endangered species. According to reports, during his speech at the UNGA, PM Johnson will announce £1 billion in aid for investors in the UK to use technology in order to tackle climate change. He also hopes to seek funding for initiatives related to renewable energy and lower levels of pollutants. In addition to this, PM Johnson will also announce £220 million funds to tackle biodiversity erosion and pay attention to the endangered species like black rhino and Sumatran tiger.
Hopes of Downing Street
The Downing Street hopes if Boris Johnson addresses the climate issues in the world summit, it will take off attention from the Brexit and decrease the number of questions that might follow. Greenpeace has criticized this initiative and has reportedly called it a flop. According to Greenpeace, it is not the kind of vision which is required to fight climate change. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) will be the host of the event in which PM Johnson will announce funds for biodiversity. WWF has also appreciated the UK leader, however, they have alerted that technological solutions may not be enough to tackle climate emergency.
Hertha Ayrton Fund
The £1 billion innovation fund is kept aside from the aid budget and is named after Hertha Ayrton. Ayrton was one of the first physicist and engineers of the Victorian era. The main goal of this funding is to obtain “the latest cutting-edge tech” to contribute in areas such as sustainable electricity supplies for developing countries. Moreover, it will seek an improved battery technology along with methods for heavily polluting by steel and cement industries in order to reduce emissions. With the announcement of a separate fund for biodiversity, PM Johnson is planning to warn the members about rapidly vanishing species and habitats. The animals are getting endangered faster now, than any other time in history. The UK Prime Minister had also said that earlier that he is deeply optimistic about the contribution of technology in making this world a better place.
Updated 15:09 IST, September 23rd 2019