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Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures programme
Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs
Defra is one of the largest funders of the global, market-led, and science-based Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) initiative. The TNFD recommendations and supporting implementation guidance enable organisations to assess, report, and act on their evolving nature-related risks, opportunities, impacts, and dependencies, with the ultimate aim of supporting a shift in global financial flows towards nature-positive outcomes and achieving the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Defra contributed £2,826,855 to support the TNFD initiative’s two-year open innovation ‘design and development’ phase, which culminated in the launch of the final TNFD corporate reporting recommendations on nature-related risk management and disclosure in September 2023 at New York Climate Week. From November 2021 – November 2022, Defra also contributed £1,675,000 to fund a TNFD African Voice pilot programme, with Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSD Africa) acting as the delivery partner. This funding was used to secure engagement by African financial institutions, governments, and central banks, with the aim of ensuring that the TNFD framework is fit for purpose in African contexts. In addition, this funding supported the production of a report examining the materiality of nature-related risks for financial institutions in African contexts. At COP28 in December 2023, the Defra Secretary of State announced an additional £2 million funding to support the TNFD initiative’s uptake phase, which is focused on encouraging and enabling voluntary market adoption across sectors and geographies, and supporting efforts to address the knowledge, capacity building and data needs of market participants.
A contribution to Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSDA) the United Nations Development Programme Biodiversity Finance Initiative (Biofin) to support delivery of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs
The programme will support low and lower-middle income countries to grow their economies in ways that help to protect and restore their natural capital and so drive sustainable economic development. It is designed to provide practical support to governments, businesses, and financial institutions to integrate nature into their economic and financial decision-making, understand and manage nature-related risks, and capitalise on growing opportunities to invest in their natural assets. As such, it will support low and lower-middle income countries to transition to nature positive, net zero economies and so protect the poorest communities. Through an integrated set of activities, the programme will deliver the following outcomes: • Private Sector Disclosure Readiness: private sector actors in low and lower-middle income countries – including financial institutions, businesses, and policy-makers - will have the tools they need to understand and manage nature-related financial risk. In particular, the programme will ensure that key institutions have the tools and capacity to respond to growing demand to disclose nature-related financial risk. • Integrating nature at country level: governmental and regulatory decision-makers in low and lower-middle income countries will have the knowledge, skills and data to design and implement policies and programmes that will help to manage nature-related risks, unlock new nature markets, and rebuild natural capital. • Action Plans for Nature: partner governments will develop clear and comprehensive plans to finance the protection and restoration of nature. These plans will act as platforms to mobilise and guide both public and private financial flows. • Evidence Sharing Mechanisms on Nature: better evidence will be available to, and used by, decision makers in low and lower middle-income countries to guide their work. The programme will help to build the evidence about how to best integrate consideration of the natural environment into economic and financial decision making. It will also help decision-makers in governments and the private sector to access and use that evidence easily by building communities of practice and robust approaches to sharing knowledge and information. The outcomes will support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), agreed at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) meeting COP15. As protection and restoration of critical ecosystems is also critical to tackling climate change, it will also support the UK goal to keep global temperature rises within 1.5c degrees.
ESRC-FAPESP Creating competitive advantage by serving marginalised communities: UK multinationals and inclusive development in Latin America
DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY
"Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) are often blamed for only serving the elite population when they operate in emerging markets. In addition, they require local governments to create infrastructure and arrangements that can support their activities in the respective country, thus diverting resources from underserved communities within the country towards serving the elite population. The purpose of this study is to explore how multinationals from advanced markets can contribute to the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals by addressing the needs of underserved populations and marginalised communities in emerging markets, while also providing expectations of long term economic return to their shareholders. Considering the increased awareness of doing good while doing well, MNEs are beginning to realise that profit maximization is not the only route to success. They need to improve their image and demonstrate that their existence is beneficial for the society in general, that is a more long-term route to achieve a competitive advantage. We intend to uncover the mechanisms and actions required by these companies to serve marginalised communities and to create a positive image in the society. To do so, we build from stakeholder theory, social entrepreneurship and value creation literature, and offer a qualitative cross-country study in Latin America. We will focus specifically on the experience of UK multinationals in Brazil and Colombia. We will collect data through focus groups and in-depth interviews with multiple actors (such as multinationals' executives, NGOs, underserved consumers, community leaders, local government representatives, investment promotion organizations, and local entrepreneurs). We will triangulate by comparing data from focus groups, interviews, and secondary sources to draw trustworthy conclusions. Further, we will use pattern matching and case comparison to analyse and make sense of data and draw conclusions. To address this complex research question, resources and expertise from the UK and Brazil will be combined. Principal and co-investigators have a successful track record in conducting research on MNEs impact in developing countries, on local firms, on engaging in training for managers, and working directly with policy makers. Key investigators are well-known international business scholars and experts with numerous relevant high-level publications. The UK team will contribute with theoretical framing, sharing research and training skills with local researchers, taking the lead in the analysis of data, producing actionable documents for stakeholders, and drafting academic publications. The Brazilian team will provide indepth knowledge of the research context, drawing on wider networks with businesses locally and close engagement with local societies while collecting data. As results we will provide guidelines for multinationals and other stakeholders as to how inclusive development can be achieved." COVID-19
Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To support provincial economic development and sustainable energy in Pakistan. The programme objective is to address two binding constraints to economic and urban development in Pakistan: weak planning; and energy. The programme aims • To support Pakistan's poorest province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to plan and finance the infrastructure and investment it needs for growth, jobs and prosperity. • To address Pakistan’s energy crisis by providing innovative financial solutions to industry for the adoption of sustainable energy practices. The programme will also contribute to Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office International Climate Fund (ICF) obligations.
Commonwealth Veteran's Welfare Programme for ODA Eligible Countries
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To provide commonwealth veterans and their widows/widowers from ODA eligible countries, who worked for British Armed Forces before their countries gained independence, now living in poverty, with two meals a day through a 5 year cash transfer programme.
Mauritius Multi-Sector Development Programme (MMDP)
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
A multi-sector portfolio of flexible, small projects designed to be catalytic and to support the Government of Mauritius' implementation of its Vision 20230 development strategy, and advancing HMG global development priorities including on climate change, women and youth empowerment, and illicit financial flows. This small investment has the potential to be a discrete programme or as a foundation on which to build a more ambitious long term bilateral package.
MOBILIST - Mobilising Institutional Capital Through Listed Product Structures
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
FCDO seeks to support the development of new products that have the ambition to list on major and local exchanges, and by doing so, engage new sources of investment and new investors, to help bridge the SDG financing gap, estimated by the UN to total $2.5 trillion p.a. ODA flows alone will not meet the needs of developing countries, and new sources of private investment will be essential if the SDGs are to be met by 2030. The programme will work with UK-based financial service providers and providers across FCDO priority countries and more widely, working to help mobilise more capital to reach the hardest places, and where the needs are greatest.
Climate Smart Jobs Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To strengthen the climate smart agribusinesses, creating jobs, support climate smart land management & services and to remove barriers that stop businesses getting deals.
Enterprise and Assets Growth Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
Improved Micro Small and Medium Enterprise access to appropriate financial services translating into higher economic benefits for state, and poor and marginalised groups, in Pakistan. EAGR programme will also contribute to the UK government commitment to respond to the challenges and opportunities of climate change by making green investments in SMEs within Pakistan which is an ODA eligible country.
Supporting Inclusive Growth in Somalia (SIGS)
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
SIGS programme is the UK’s flagship economic development programme in Somalia. Designed as a flexible and adaptive programme it will provide an immediate response to Covid19. It now has a stronger focus on remittances, supporting UK political leadership in this area, and, accelerated support to key Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprise (MSME) sectors including domestic food production and marketing. SIGS will deliver activities to 1. Develop and diversify businesses in approx. 4 high-value sectors. 2. Stimulate investment through developing the financial sector and related policy and or regulatory capacity. 3. Develop the evidence base on inclusive, sustainable, economic development in Somalia. SIGS will provide an essential policy and influencing resource for UK leadership on HIPC debt relief and or the associated reforms, including on the financial sector and counter terrorist financing.
GFP - Global Finance Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
Leverages the UK’s unique position as the world’s leading financial centre to increase access to finance for firms and individuals where beneficiaries are in developing countries, promoting shared prosperity through inclusive economic growth overseas, and the development of new markets in developing countries.
Caribbean Economic Development Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To support governments in the Caribbean region to strengthen their public financial management systems including tax and customs administration, financial sector surveillance, statistics, government procurement and competitiveness in order to promote private sector development that will build sustainable, competitive and inclusive economies in the region.
Global Risk Financing Programme [GRiF]
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To save lives and reduce the impacts of shocks, like droughts, hurricanes and floods through enabling earlier and more effective response and faster recovery. It provides finance to support governments and humanitarian agencies to use risk financing instruments, like insurance and contingent credit, to access more rapid finance in emergencies, and to strengthen preparedness of local systems for disaster response and recovery. It will focus on disasters, but will develop over time to cover a wider range of risks, including famine.
Somalia Monitoring Programme Phase 3
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
Somalia Monitoring Programme Phase 3 aims to generate and promote use of better evidence and statistics to define, deliver and adjust FCDO programmes in Somalia. It is designed to ensure that British Embassy Mogadishu (BEM), Somali officials and the international community have access to the evidence and statistics needed to ensure programmes and policies are targeted, effective and adaptive; and that risks are identified and managed. SMP 3 involves two key components: the first is Third-Party Monitoring and Learning (TPML) of UK (FCDO) programming in the field, to ensure that our activities deliver expected outcomes, and Campaign Goals in the Somalia Country Plan. The second is support to the Somali National Statistics System to collect, analyse, and use key data enabling the authorities to better target policies and systems that deliver development outcomes.
Programme to support accountability and inclusion (Programme d'Appui à la Redevabilité et l'Inclusion) (PARI)
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
This programme aims to increase the transparency, accountability and effectiveness of governance institutions at central level and in selected provinces to deliver better pro-poor services and support democracy and lasting stability in DRC.
Risk Pools Programme (RPP)
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To support a parametric (index-based) weather risk insurance pool that will provide participating African countries with predictable, quick-disbursing funds with which to implement pre-defined contingency response plans in the case of a drought.
British International Investment (BII) Programme of Support in Africa, South Asia, Indo-Pacific & Carib (2015-2027)
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To enable BII to scale up its activity of investing and lending to support the building of businesses in developing countries, to create jobs and make a lasting difference to people’s lives in some of the world's poorest places. BII is FCDO’s main vehicle for investing in private companies in Africa, South Asia, Indo-Pacific and the Caribbean. BII encourages capital investments from other private investors by being a first mover, demonstrating to other investors that commercial returns are possible in these frontier markets, and by sharing risk and expertise. The additional equity from FCDO will enable BII to meet demand for capital in its target markets and allow BII to sustain a higher volume of more developmental investments across priority regions and business sectors
Poorest States Inclusive Growth Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To enhance economic value generated for the poor as producers, consumers and employees by investing in impact enterprises. This will benefit up to 30 enterprises and generate employment incomes of at least £10m.To ensure poor and vulnerable people in low income states (especially women) benefit from economic growth through better access to financial services, and investing in private sector projects that will benefit the poor as producers, consumers and employers. This will benefit 12 million low income households with improved access to financial services and upto 30 enterprises in attracting additional investments worth £56 million.
Kenya Devolution Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The programme aims to strengthen the effectiveness of Kenya's devolution. It will support county governments to better plan, deliver and monitor the delivery of public services in key sectors including agriculture, climate change, education, health, water and urban services.
Accelerating Investment and Infrastructure in Nepal
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To accelerate private investment and economic growth in Nepal by providing technical expertise to help Nepalese institutions develop major infrastructure; improve the business climate for domestic and foreign investors; improve the implementation of economic policy and test new approaches for local economic development. This will result in at least £600 million of private investment into growth-boosting sectors and a reduction by at least 10% in time or cost for at least five regulatory processes perceived as burdensome by the private sector.
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