Signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the University of Exeter to advance climate and nature economic policy scenarios.

The agreement reflects a shared ambition to advance scientific and policy cooperation on the development of forward-looking economic policy scenarios that can support governments in addressing climate and nature-related risks and opportunities in an increasingly complex geoeconomic environment. The partnership builds on the expertise of the Exeter Climate Policy initiative at the University of Exeter, which provides independent economic analysis to support Ministries of Finance in navigating the complexities of the low-carbon transition through climate-economic modelling.
 

The collaboration will contribute to emerging efforts to strengthen global science-policy cooperation supporting Ministries of Finance in integrating climate and nature considerations into macroeconomic, fiscal and financial decision-making, including through joint scenario exercises and analytical cooperation. The signing took place during a high-level roundtable discussion bringing together representatives from governments, development banks, international initiatives and research institutions to explore how climate and nature economic policy scenarios can inform public financial strategies and support structural transformation.

Thomas Melonio, Chief Economist at AFD, said:
“ Through this partnership with the University of Exeter, AFD aims to connect cutting-edge climate and nature research with the macroeconomic analytical tools we have been developing to respond to the needs of Ministries of Finance across partner countries. This partnership also shows the persistent willingness of France and the UK to work together with other partners on a renewed global climate agenda: one that brings financial actors and most notably Ministries of Finance and Public Development Banks at the forefront of navigating sustainability challenges in an unstable period.”

Stuart Brocklehurst, the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Business Engagement and Innovation), said the collaboration was a testament to the University’s world-class reputation for climate science. He said: “Exeter is home to more of the world’s top 100 climate scientists than any other institution – and this partnership will enable us to use our research and expertise to assist economic planning in the Global South. We are delighted to be partnering with AFD as we look to create a Greener, Healthier and Fairer future for those countries forced to prepare for future climate disruption.”

Professor Emily Shuckburgh, DESNZ Chief Scientific Advisor, said:
“Effective action on climate change requires global collaboration. This partnership will support vital work around the world helping countries in the Global South to tackle climate change and accelerate energy transitions. I warmly welcome this joint endeavour.”

Steve Race, MP for Exeter, added: “The University of Exeter is a major global centre of climate research, which is so important to help countries across the world understand and shape their futures. I'm delighted that the University has formed this partnership with Agence Française de Développement, together they will both strengthen economic modelling and do vital work helping countries across the Global South build their resilience to what lies ahead."

Nicolas Picchiottino, Head of the Public Development Banks Coalition Division said: “By improving understanding of the risks and opportunities related to climate and nature, this partnership will enable us to more effectively support Public Development Banks and finance Ministries of Finance in an increasingly complex geoeconomic environment.”

The partnership forms part of ongoing discussions to develop collaborative approaches between research institutions, financial actors and governments to support evidence-based economic policymaking in the context of climate transition.

Contact

• Andrew Merrington, Senior Press and PR Officer, University of Exeter - a.j.merrington@exeter.ac.uk
• Chloé Odstrcil, Press Officer, AFD - odstrcilc.ext@afd.fr 

About the University of Exeter  
The University of Exeter is a Russell Group university that combines world-class research with high levels of student satisfaction. Exeter has over 30,000 students and sits within the top 15 universities in Complete University Guide 2026 and The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026, in which it was also named runner-up for sustainability. Exeter was within the top 20 universities in the Guardian University Guide 2026 and ranked in the top 200 globally in the QS World Rankings 2026 and THE World University Rankings 2026. It was also University of the Year at the Social Mobility Awards 2026. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), more than 99% of our research was rated as being of international quality, and our world-leading research impact has grown by 72% since 2014, more than any other Russell Group university.

About the AFD
AFD Group works to deliver on France’s ambition to build a fairer, more united, and more sustainable future with its international partners. In a world facing climate challenges, rising inequalities, and geopolitical tensions, we invest to bring about concrete, human-centred, and responsible solutions. Our mission: to finance and support projects in the most vulnerable countries, in middle-income countries, and in France’s Overseas Territories. Our action is guided by a dual mandate: to combat poverty and inequality, and to preserve global public goods such as the climate, biodiversity, and global health. We implement France’s international development and partnership policy, in line with the guidelines set by the 2021 programming Act on inclusive development and combating global inequalities, the Presidential Council for International Partnerships (CPPI) of April 5, 2025, the Interministerial Committee for International Cooperation and Development (CICID) and the Interministerial Committee for Overseas France (CIOM) in 2023.