UK PACT to support COP26’s coal to renewables campaign

4 May 2021

UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) is delighted to welcome the launch of the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) as a new international technical assistance initiative to accelerate the energy transitions of 22 countries.

The Rapid Response Facility (RRF) was launched in April during the second COP26 Energy Transition Council and UK PACT will be supporting it as one of the partners. The initiative is backed by £2.7m of UK funding as part of a global package.

  • UK PACT will provide technical assistance support to the COP26 Energy Transition Council through our responsive and adaptive Skill-Shares programme. It will work to respond directly to the needs of UK PACT’s partner countries (Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam) and support energy transition requests channelled through the RRF.

  • UK PACT will work alongside RRF partners to ensure countries get fast and tailored support for their energy transition needs. Where UK PACT strategy and RRF countries align, UK PACT will mobilise its roster of highly experienced experts to respond to countries’ requests for technical assistance through skill-shares projects.

The RRF aims to help countries develop strategic planning, capacity building and technical expertise to assist decision-making and raise their ambition for a clean energy transition ahead of COP26.

Co-Chair of the Energy Transition Council, COP26 President-Designate, Alok Sharma MP, said:

“The Rapid Response Facility will play a key role in supporting countries to make real and clear progress in their transition from coal to clean power, ahead of COP26.

The UK’s COP26 Presidency is committed to mobilising action to tackle climate change and this is a great example of what can be achieved when development partners come together. This is the Energy Transition Council’s spirit of collaboration in action.”

The transition to renewable energy provides a concrete pathway to social and economic opportunities and aligns global growth with a low-carbon future.

Read the full Cabinet Office and COP26 Presidency announcement here, including the list of international partners supporting the RRF initiative.