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Last updated:
21 Jul. 2026
Responding to the publication of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) report, The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World[1], Gareth Redmond-King, Head of International Programme at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said:
“As Britain’s new Foreign Secretary receives his introductory briefings, this is a timely reminder of the important role countries like the UK play in supporting nations facing food insecurity, to continue the fight against hunger. The UK, US, Germany and other major economies have sharply cut back on overseas development assistance in recent years, making it harder for nations to adapt to fossil fuel crises, climate change, and likely one of the strongest El Niños on record. Some of the poorest countries in the world increasingly face choices between public services, feeding their people, and rebuilding after disasters. “But our food system is global, and the threat is not limited to developing nations. The UK imports two fifths of our food, much of it things we cannot grow here, like rice, coffee and bananas. These crops are being hit by climate change impacts, now being turbo-charged by El Niño, leading to shortages and rising prices. All whilst farmers at home also battle with heat and drought, and excessive rain – impacts that have led to some of the worst harvests on record. Coupled with impacts around the world, this has put hundreds of pounds onto UK household food bills [2]. The only solution we have to limit these worsening threats – to halt climate change – is cutting emissions to net zero. But already, global food insecurity, and threats to our food supply chains at home, rely on the UK being willing to support farmers in poorer nations [3] – as well as here in the UK – to build more resilient food systems, and enable more affordable food.”
Notes to editors:
- Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations: https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/7eb22402-860f-4212-922f-55941aed4a27
- Climate, Fossil Fuels and UK Food Prices: 2023, Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit: https://eciu.net/analysis/reports/2023/climate-fossil-fuels-and-uk-food-prices-2023
- Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit analysis in 2024 showed that the UK at that point had, since 2011, UK co-invested in at least 348 projects spanning 111 countries – 84 of which (76%) grow food sold on UK supermarket shelves – to support overseas farmers struggling with climate extremes. Investments were made via the six main multilateral climate funds and alongside other major economies like Germany and France. https://eciu.net/analysis/reports/2024/uk-international-climate-finance-and-food-imports
For more information or for interview requests:
George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, Tel: 07894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net
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