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Policy paper

UK Special Representative for Climate: terms of reference (extension, June 2026)

Published 8 June 2026

© Crown copyright 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-special-representative-for-climate-terms-of-reference/uk-special-representative-for-climate-terms-of-reference-extension-june-2026

1. The UK Special Representative for Climate will support ministers to increase senior international diplomatic engagement on climate and clean energy, increasing UK international leadership, building influence, raising global ambition and accelerating progress on UK strategic objectives. The Special Representative for Climate will report to the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero.

2. The Special Representative for Climate will build international partnerships, drive diplomatic efforts including campaigns, unlock progress and prepare the ground for delivery against the government’s climate objectives including at major international climate events.

3. The Special Representative for Climate’s role will include support on:

  • energy transition: improving international clean energy infrastructure financing and access to clean electricity
  • climate finance:
    • progressing UK priorities on climate finance and green growth including through multilateral events and with the international financial institutions
    • mobilising new sources of finance (including for resilience and adaptation), including on high-integrity carbon markets
    • building coalitions around other financial solutions, for example, on debt, cost of capital, trade and investment flows
  • forests: progressing UK international forest leadership and financial innovation
  • international engagement: building momentum around HM Government (HMG) priority climate outcomes through COP31 and in other major climate moments, and in preparation for the UK’s 2027 G20 Presidency

4. The Special Representative for Climate’s key responsibilities will be to:

  • conduct a proactive programme of international engagement, coordinated with DESNZ and FCDO directors, and involving departmental policy leads
  • strengthen UK partnerships and coalitions with priority countries and stakeholders, improving coordination, mobilising ambition and accelerating innovation and partnerships with a focus on the above areas
  • represent and support ministers/senior officials as required internationally
  • feedback routinely and systematically on all engagements so that departments can follow up and maximise UK collective impact, helping shape and inform the UK’s strategic approach to key issues
  • advise HMG on where and how it can amplify its influence and impact on climate in relation to the above areas
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