Britain is to provide £3 billion over five years to support the rollout of sustainable infrastructure and new green technology in developing countries.

On the opening day of the Cop26 summit in Glasgow, the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of providing climate finance to the developing world if the gathering is to succeed in its efforts to cut global emissions.

In a move to set the tone for the event, Boris Johnson is hosting an “action and solidarity” meeting bringing together leaders of some of the biggest emitters with their counterparts from nations most vulnerable to climate change.

US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are among those due to attend.

Officials said Britain’s new clean green initiative would represent a doubling of UK support compared with the previous five-year period, with funding for projects such as drought-resistant agriculture and sustainable forestry.

Mr Johnson said: “I want to see the UK’s green industrial revolution go global.

“The pace of change on clean technology and infrastructure is incredible, but no country should be left behind in the race to save our planet.

“The climate has often been a silent victim of economic growth and progress – but the opposite should now be true.

“Through the clean green initiative, we can help to build back better and greener from the pandemic and put the world on the path to a more sustainable future.”