A string of third world projects tackling climate change in places like Africa and the Caribbean are set to receive £1billion from the UK government, DECC announced today.

The funding is part of £1.5billion aid pledged by the UK at the Copenhagen climate talks in 2009 to help third world countries fight global warming.

At the COP16 talks, developed countries pledged to provide around $30 billion to the Fast Start Finance programme between 2010-12.

The UK cash will go to projects such as the UN Adaptation Fund, which gets £10m from the UK, and helps 70,000 people in developing countries cope with effects of global warming. Other projects supported include a scheme for low carbon public transport in Nigeria.

Energy Secretary Chris Huhne said: “We promised we’d be the greenest government ever both at home and abroad. Africa is one of the areas which will feel the impacts of climate change first which is why we’re helping its people adapt to a warmer world and not become reliant on dirty fossil fuels.”