According to UK lawmakers, billions of pounds of British taxpayers’ money is supporting fossil fuel energy plans around the world, undermining the UK’s commitment to addressing climate collapse.

UK Export Finance (UKEF) provided £2.5 billion to fossil fuel projects between 2013/14 and 2017/18, offering loans, insurance, and guarantees to businesses operating abroad.

The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has called on the government to end support for new fossil fuel energy projects by 2021.

The EAC has criticized the high level of support for fossil fuel projects in the poorest countries, with £2.4 billion of funds allocated to low- or middle-income nations, potentially locking them into decades of oil and gas dependency.

EAC chair Mary Creagh stated that achieving net zero emissions by 2050 would require ending the addiction to dirty fossil fuels. She criticized the UK government for financially supporting fossil fuel projects in the poorest countries, locking them into high carbon energy dependence for decades.

A UKEF spokesperson acknowledged the importance of addressing climate change and stated that they are considering their response to the committee’s report.

This article was written by David Hughes, the political editor of the Press Association.