FCO climate headcount down 60 per cent since 2011, FOI reveals

Madeleine Cuff
clock • 3 min read

Freedom of Information request reveals number of UK-based Foreign Office staff working on climate change has fallen from 554 to 221 over the last six years

The number of UK-based diplomats working on climate change issues for the UK government has fallen dramatically over the last six years, new Freedom of Information data released publicly earlier this week...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Politics

Government confirms moves to nationalise British Steel, as Starmer vows to 'prove doubters wrong'

Government confirms moves to nationalise British Steel, as Starmer vows to 'prove doubters wrong'

Prime Minister announces legislation that would enable full nationalisation of Scunthorpe steelworks, fuelling hopes of a boost to government’s green steel plans

James Murray
clock 11 May 2026 • 7 min read
Local elections: Speculation over Labour leadership challenge builds, as Greens celebrate 'record-breaking' results

Local elections: Speculation over Labour leadership challenge builds, as Greens celebrate 'record-breaking' results

Prime Minister Keir Starmer under mounting pressure, as Greens, Reform, SNP, and Plaid Cymru confirmed as big winners from last week’s election

James Murray
clock 11 May 2026 • 8 min read
Local Elections: 'Mixed results' for UK's climate agenda, as Reform and Greens celebrate major gains

Local Elections: 'Mixed results' for UK's climate agenda, as Reform and Greens celebrate major gains

Greens declare era of two-party politics 'dead and buried', as local climate leaders warn gains by Reform could result in a roll back of decarbonisation policies

James Murray
clock 08 May 2026 • 8 min read