guardian.co.uk: Gordon Brown unveils ($22 billion) fund to tackle 'climate emergency'

Gordon Brown unveils fund to tackle 'climate emergency'

• Poorer countries to receive fast-tracked support
• Prime minister pledges £800m from Britain

Nicholas Watt in Port of Spain
guardian.co.uk, Friday 27 November 2009 21.57 GMT

Gordon Brown has unveiled a $22bn (£13.3bn) global fund to respond to the world's "climate emergency" by fast-tracking funds to poorer countries from next year.

In an intensification of preparations for the Copenhagen summit, which starts on 7 December, the prime minister announced the spending pledge to halt deforestation, build flood defences and boost renewable supplies in the developing world.

The initiative, supported by the US and EU leaders, would involve the use of satellites to ensure that commitments to stop deforestation were being met.

Brown outlined the plan, which is designed to fast-track support before a €100bn commitment to be built up from 2013, on the opening day of the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Trinidad and Tobago.

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