UK Climate Envoy Rachel Kyte to Stay on Charity Board Amid Fossil Fuel Controversy
Supporters are backing Rachel Kyte after she faced criticism about her appointment as the UK’s new climate envoy due to her connections with an investment firm with ties to fossil fuels.
Climate Envoy Rachel Kyte to Stay on Charity Board
Rachel Kyte, a well-known expert on climate issues, was recently named the UK’s special representative on climate. However, it has come to light that she will continue serving on the board of a charity, Quadrature Climate Foundation, despite controversy. The charity was founded by the same individuals who own Quadrature Capital, an investment company that has supported fossil fuel investments. Quadrature Capital also donated £4 million to the Labour Party earlier this year.
Concerns Over Potential Conflict of Interest
Some have questioned whether the Labour Party’s donation influenced Kyte’s appointment. Joy Morrissey, the shadow energy minister, raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest, asking the government if they considered this link when appointing Kyte. Despite the controversy, many environmental leaders are rallying to support Kyte, highlighting her extensive work in climate and development over several decades.
Kyte’s Independence from Quadrature Capital
Kyte will remain on the charity board, which operates independently from Quadrature Capital. She had no role in Quadrature Capital’s decisions regarding investments or political donations. Additionally, she will continue her role as a professor of climate policy at Oxford University and may keep a few other external positions.
Praise for Kyte from Climate Leaders
Several high-profile environmental figures have praised Kyte’s qualifications for the climate envoy role. Christiana Figueres, a former UN climate chief, stated that Kyte is the perfect choice to help the UK mobilize climate finance, a crucial issue in climate negotiations. Figueres emphasized Kyte’s lifelong dedication to clean energy and her vast experience in the field.
Laurence Tubiana, another key figure in the Paris Agreement negotiations, also favored Kyte. Tubiana noted that Kyte’s expertise in climate finance would be invaluable for the UK and the global climate community, especially with the upcoming Cop29 climate summit.
Kyte’s Role as UK Climate Envoy
Kyte’s new position in the UK government involves high-level diplomacy. She will work under Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to forge alliances with countries worldwide to address the climate crisis. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) stated that Kyte’s appointment followed thorough vetting procedures, and any potential conflicts of interest will be reviewed throughout her tenure.
Background on Quadrature Climate Foundation
Quadrature Climate Foundation was created by Greg Skinner and Suneil Setiya, who also co-founded Quadrature Capital. Although Quadrature Capital has invested in fossil fuel companies, the charity focuses on supporting science-based solutions to climate change. Since its launch, the charity has committed over £700 million toward advancing climate solutions and promoting sustainable development worldwide.
Charity CEO Clarifies Independence from Investment Firm
Jess Ayers, the CEO of Quadrature Climate Foundation, emphasized that the foundation operates independently from Quadrature Capital and is politically neutral. She explained that the charity aims to fund and support climate solutions without political bias. Ayers also highlighted Kyte’s leadership skills, which led to her appointment as co-chair of the charity’s advisory board in December 2023.
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