The United Kingdom (UK) announced new funding, yesterday, to support African governments to roll out critical adaptation projects so at-risk communities can adapt to the impact of extreme weather and changing climates.

United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) President, Alok Sharma, announced the new U.K. support for the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Programme (AAAP) – an initiative endorsed by African Union leaders and led by the African Development Bank, Global Centre on Adaptation and the Africa Adaptation Initiative, to back African-led plans to accelerate resilience-building across Africa.

Yesterday’s announcements, according to a statement from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Nigeria, came on the second day of COP26, the two-week UN Climate Change Conference, where world leaders are meeting with the aim to agree on how to tackle the urgent threat of global climate change.

British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, also announced the U.K. is offering an ambitious new guarantee mechanism – the ‘Room to Run’ – to the African Development Bank (AfDB). This is expected to unlock up to £1.45 billion ($2 billion) worth of new financing for projects across the continent, half of which will help countries adapt to the impacts of climate change.

U.K. Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, said: “More finance for African nations to develop and adapt to climate change is important as these countries find themselves on the frontline of impact. It is a huge investment opportunity.

“By combining our cash with other donors and businesses, and working with partners such as the African Development Bank to direct funding into green projects, today we are delivering on our commitment to African-led climate adaptation.