Using trillions of taxpayers money to subsidize fossil fuels and other polluting industries is “wrong” and should instead be used to fund climate adaptation projects, according to the Netherlands’ special envoy for water.
While many governments have cut their aid budgets, Meike van Ginneken told Devex there is “actually quite a lot of public finance” which could be used to fund global water projects, which she described as critical to helping adjust societies to the effects of climate change.
“Climate adaptation is water,” she said. Sector experts say water is uniquely special as all other areas of development rely upon it to function, but it’s highly vulnerable to climate change.
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About the author
William Worley@willrworley
Will Worley is the Climate Correspondent for Devex, covering the intersection of development and climate change. He previously worked as UK Correspondent, reporting on the FCDO and British aid policy during a time of seismic reforms. Will’s extensive reporting on the UK aid cuts saw him shortlisted for ‘Specialist Journalist of the Year’ in 2021 by the British Journalism Awards. He can be reached at william.worley@devex.com.
