The University of Exeter is to partner with France’s international development agency on a new programme supporting countries in the Global South with their economic policy in the face of climate change.
The University will work with Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and finance ministries around the world to strengthen the macroeconomic analytical tools available to governments.
It is hoped that the project, which will also bring together public policy institutions, public development banks, and world-leading climate scientists, will offer much-needed resilience to nations least equipped to prepare for climate change.
The partnership builds on the expertise of the Exeter Climate Policy initiative at the University, which provides independent economic analysis to support Ministries of Finance in navigating the complexities of the low-carbon transition through the use of climate-economic models.
Stuart Brocklehurst, the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Business Engagement and Innovation), said the collaboration was a testament to the University’s world-class reputation for climate science. He said: “Exeter is home to more of the world’s top 100 climate scientists than any other institution – and this partnership will enable us to use this research and expertise to assist monetary planning in the Global South. We are delighted to be partnering with AFD as we look to create a Greener, Healthier and Fairer future for those countries forced to financially account for future climate disruption.”
AFD operates in more than 160 countries and French overseas territories to tackle poverty, promote economic growth, and protect the planet through loans and technical assistance. It finances numerous projects focusing on climate change, gender equality, education, and health.
Thomas Mélonio, Chief Economist at AFD, said: “Through this partnership with the University of Exeter, AFD aims to connect cutting-edge climate and nature research with the macroeconomic analytical tools we have been developing to respond to the needs of Ministries of Finance across partner countries.
“This partnership also shows the persistent willingness of France and the UK to work together with other partners on a renewed global climate agenda: one that brings financial actors and most notably Ministries of Finance and Public Development Banks at the forefront of navigating sustainability challenges in an unstable period.”
At the British Embassy in Paris last week, AFD and the University signed a Memorandum of Understanding to signify the formal launch of their partnership.
The signing took place during a high-level roundtable discussion, bringing together representatives from governments, development banks, international initiatives and research institutions to explore how climate and nature economic policy scenarios can inform public financial strategies and support structural transformation.
Among the attendees, which included a panel discussion outlining the need to support countries in the Global South, was Professor Emily Shuckburgh CBE, Chief Scientific Advisor at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
She said: “Effective action on climate change requires global collaboration. This partnership will support vital work around the world helping countries in the Global South to tackle climate change and accelerate energy transitions. I warmly welcome this joint endeavour.”
The partnership forms part of ongoing discussions to develop collaborative approaches between research institutions, financial actors and governments to support evidence-based economic policymaking in the context of the climate transition.
Steve Race, MP for Exeter, said: “The University of Exeter is a major global centre of climate research, which is so important to help countries across the world understand and shape their futures. I’m delighted that the University has formed this partnership with Agence Française de Développement, together they will both strengthen economic modelling and do vital work helping countries across the Global South build their resilience to what lies ahead.”
Nicolas Picchiottino, Head of the Public Development Banks Coalition Division, added: “By improving understanding of the risks and opportunities related to climate and nature, this partnership will enable us to more effectively support Public Development Banks and finance Ministries of Finance in an increasingly complex geoeconomic environment.”