UK slashes climate aid budget, jeopardising ocean conservation by 2027

From coral reefs to plastic waste, vital marine programmes now hang in the balance. How will vulnerable coastal communities cope with the UK's drastic aid cuts?

, and Administrator

2026 May 23 . 2:02 PM

1 min read

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UK slashes climate aid budget, jeopardising ocean conservation by 2027

The UK government has announced sweeping cuts to its aid budget, reducing spending from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income by 2027. The move will significantly shrink funding for environmental and climate projects in developing countries, including a major reduction in ocean conservation programmes. Among the hardest-hit initiatives is the £500 million Blue Planet Fund, which backs marine conservation efforts. This fund supports the creation of marine protected areas, promotes sustainable fishing, and helps coastal communities adapt to climate change. Its projects also tackle global plastic waste while improving food security for vulnerable populations.

The cuts extend to other key programmes, including the Global Plastic Action Partnership, the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, and the Ocean Community Empowerment and Nature Programme (OCEAN). These reductions come as the UK’s previous £11.6 billion commitment to international climate finance (ICF) from 2021 to 2026 expires. The next round of ICF funding, set for the next five years, will drop by over a fifth to £9 billion.

The ocean remains the least funded of the UN’s 14 Sustainable Development Goals, despite being critical to life on Earth. Meanwhile, the Chancellor has prioritised a major increase in defence spending—the largest since the Cold War. The budget reductions will take effect from 2027, directly impacting climate resilience and marine protection in developing nations. With less funding available, programmes that support sustainable fishing, plastic waste reduction, and coastal community resilience will face significant challenges in the years ahead.