Baroness Nemat Shafik, a renowned economist, has been appointed to review the UK Government's international development strategy, bringing her expertise in climate policy to the forefront. This move comes as the Labour Party emphasizes the importance of addressing climate change in foreign aid.
Shafik, who recently stepped down as president of Columbia University, has lauded the Welsh Government for its innovative approach to climate change policy. In her book "What We Owe Each Other," she highlighted Wales' unique position of having a minister responsible for the interests of future generations in environmental and energy policy decisions.
"Wales... has developed an interesting approach to taking such values into account: it has appointed the world's first 'minister for future generations'."
This position, currently held by Derek Walker, was established in 2016 as part of the Well-Being of Future Generations Act. This groundbreaking legislation, passed in 2015, requires public bodies in Wales to consider the long-term impact of their decisions across seven dimensions of well-being, including environmental aspects.
Shafik's appointment aligns with Labour's commitment to placing "the climate and nature crisis" at the heart of its international aid approach. The party's manifesto emphasizes the need to tackle global poverty, instability, and environmental challenges through coordinated development efforts.
The economist's background includes significant roles at the International Monetary Fund and the Bank of England, where she became the first woman to serve as Deputy Governor. Her expertise in environment issues spans decades, advocating for a "green industrial revolution" and increased funding for conservation efforts.
At the Cop27 conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in November 2022, Shafik called for boosting subsidized lending to developing countries to support their transition to greener economies. She has also emphasized the importance of providing "generous" funding to nations most affected by climate change.
Shafik's tenure at Columbia University, one of the eight prestigious Ivy League schools, ended amidst controversy over her handling of pro-Palestine protests on campus. Despite this, her appointment to the Foreign Office signals a focus on leveraging her extensive experience in international development and climate policy.
As the UK government reviews its approach to international aid, Shafik's insights on climate change and sustainable development are likely to play a crucial role. Her praise for Wales' forward-thinking policies, such as the country-wide 20mph speed limit implementation and the cancellation of the M4 relief road project, suggests a potential shift towards more environmentally conscious decision-making in UK foreign aid strategies.
With the Welsh Government setting a target for the country to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, Shafik's appointment may herald a new era of climate-focused international development policies for the UK. As public bodies in Wales continue to publish annual reports on their progress under the Well-Being of Future Generations Act, the impact of such innovative approaches may soon be felt on a global scale through the UK's international aid programs.