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

COP31: Five key trends to expect from the Antalya Climate Summit

COP31: Five key trends to expect from the Antalya Climate Summit

Electrification is set to dominate the agenda, alongside ever-present rows over climate finance, adaptation funding, and how to accelerate the phase out of fossil fuels

Michael Holder
clock 06 November 2026 • 15 min read
The backlash against the backlash

The backlash against the backlash

The US midterms were a good night for global climate action, and they might just herald an end to the latest outbreak of self-defeating climate denialism

James Murray
clock 05 November 2026 • 4 min read
US midterms: Climate campaigners celebrate, as Democrats secure control of Congress

US midterms: Climate campaigners celebrate, as Democrats secure control of Congress

Results deliver a stinging rebuke to the Trump White House, as campaigners hail victories for 'climate and clean energy champions'

James Murray
clock 04 November 2026 • 5 min read