{"id":91404,"date":"2018-04-26T10:35:34","date_gmt":"2018-04-26T10:35:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=481a197364aad061ea7616dc406faad1"},"modified":"2018-04-26T10:35:34","modified_gmt":"2018-04-26T10:35:34","slug":"press-release-uk-increases-commitment-to-protect-oceans-from-plastics-and-fight-illegal-wildlife-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=91404","title":{"rendered":"Press release: UK increases commitment to protect oceans from plastics and fight illegal wildlife trade"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The UK is stepping up its support to fight global environmental challenges, with a greater focus on protecting the world\u2019s oceans and tackling the illegal wildlife trade, International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt and Environment Secretary Michael Gove have announced today (Thursday 26th April).<\/p>\n

At the Global Environment Facility conference in Stockholm, the UK joined 29 other international donors to recommit for a further four years to help developing countries tackle global environmental degradation.<\/p>\n

Following pressure from the UK, this year\u2019s Global Environment Facility replenishment will result in more funding to protect the marine environment, including from plastic waste pollution, and to tackle the illegal wildlife trade.<\/p>\n

With this seventh round of support, the GEF is planning to protect around 600 million hectares of land and marine habitats \u2013 an area equivalent to 24 times the size of the UK \u2013 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1600 million metric tonnes \u2013 the equivalent of an average car driving 4 million miles.<\/p>\n

The UK\u2019s commitment of up to \u00a3250 million over the next four years is an increase on the last pledge of \u00a3210 million from 2014-2018, and maintains the UK\u2019s leadership on tackling environmental challenges that threaten global stability and security. Twenty per cent of the UK\u2019s support is also conditional on GEF making continual improvements to achieve maximum impact.<\/p>\n

International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt said:<\/p>\n

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The world\u2019s poorest communities are often the worst affected by environmental change. Extreme climates cause devastating drought and hunger, while deforestation and pollution destroy people\u2019s livelihoods and health.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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The UK\u2019s long-running partnership with the Global Environment Facility has already achieved great change \u2013 cutting greenhouse gas emissions and protecting land \u2013 and now, we\u2019re working with our international partners to do more so that together we can clean our oceans of plastic waste and fight the illegal wildlife trade.<\/p>\n

This will help developing nations, but, as we are all affected by the environment, it is a win for us in the UK too.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:<\/p>\n

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Environmental challenges do not respect borders. It is only through co-ordinated international action that we can clean up our oceans and protect wildlife. Our funding to the Global Environment Facility makes a vital difference.<\/p>\n

The 25 Year Environment Plan demonstrates a commitment to global leadership. It makes clear our priorities of ending the illegal trade in wildlife and reducing plastic waste. These efforts will prevent damage to our seas and the wider natural environment.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Notes to editors<\/h3>\n