The Government has announced a new £500 million Blue Planet Fund to fund projects that help tackle climate change and protect the ocean.
The programmes, financed from the UK’s overseas aid budget, will support developing countries to:
- tackle climate change
- restore ocean health
- tackle plastic pollution
- increase marine protection
- tackle the decline of global coral reefs
- reduce poverty
As Cheltenham’s MP, Alex launched and led the “Final Straw” campaign and joined forces with the Marine Conservation Society on pushing for the introduction of a bottle deposit return scheme (DRS) in England.
Alex said: "Our shared ocean is a vital resource and provides habitat to precious marine life, as well as supporting the livelihoods of one in every ten people worldwide.
“So I welcome the launch of the Blue Planet Fund to help developing countries to reduce poverty and improve the health of their seas.
“I will continue to advocate on Cheltenham’s behalf for ambitious climate and ocean action at COP26 this year.”