The UK Government has announced it will spend £5.8 billion to help developing countries tackle climate change.

Prime Minister David Cameron made the announcement at the UN Assembly in New York where world leaders discussed measures to achieve global targets to fight poverty and take climate action.

He said: “We will increase the amount of aid we spend on climate finance over the next five years, helping communities around the world become more resilient to flooding and drought and providing clean, reliable energy.

“That energy not only keeps the lights on, it also improves health and education, spurs economic growth and creates jobs.”

The UK’s fund between 2016 and 2021 is 50% more than the 2011 to 2016 period, for which the UK offered £3.87 billion in climate finance.

The Primer Minister also urged fellow leaders to work together towards achieving an “ambitious” climate deal at COP21 conference in Paris later this year.

He added: “It is so important that we secure an ambitious, global deal in Paris later this year that keeps our goal of limiting global warming by 2050 to two degrees within reach. The UK is determined to play its part, not just by cutting our emissions at home but by providing support overseas to those who need it, particularly the poorest and most vulnerable.”

According to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), the UK is “a leader” on climate finance as it is the only G7 nation to meet the 0.7% aid commitment and the only one to include it in legislation.

Former US Vice President Al Gore said he was “puzzled” by the government’s changes in energy policies last week.

Earlier this year the UK pledged £15 million to boost renewables in developing countries.