Britain can play an important advisory role in Bermuda and even provide finances for climate change resilience, the Governor has said.

Andrew Murdoch, who spoke to The Royal Gazette last week ahead of the one-year anniversary of his swearing-in ceremony, said he agreed with the position of the UK Government that “climate change is real” and acknowledged the global shift away from contributing fossil fuels.

He said that while Bermuda’s main energy supplier Belco had its sights set on liquefied natural gas — a fossil fuel — and faced its own challenges in veering away from the fuels entirely at this stage, he is pleased to see an effort to diversify the supply to include solar, wind and alternative forms of renewable energy.

Mr Murdoch, who also discussed and crime and security in the interview, said: “These matters are devolved to the Government of Bermuda but there are areas in which you can bring in expertise to help with building resilience to climate change.”

He added that Britain had provided assistance in certain areas and always had “a willingness to help” not only with guidance but also practical measures.

The Governor said that the UK had “a lot of expertise in some of these technologies”.

UK Export Finance, the British Government’s export credit agency, visited Bermuda from November 17 to 19.

The agency was described by the Bermuda Government as “a key partner in enabling global trade and investment, offering a range of competitive financial products”.

A government spokesman said at the time: “The visit by UKEF underscores the commitments made at the 2024 Joint Ministerial Council.

“Through the efforts of the London Office, the Government has strengthened collaboration with the UK Government via UKEF and with the support of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and Government House, created a strategic mechanism to explore innovative frameworks that advance economic co-operation between Bermuda and the United Kingdom as trusted partners.”

Mr Murdoch said part of the visit was about helping large-scale development exercises in Bermuda and how the UK could help with finance and “bring in its leverage”.

“They were really useful meetings and those conversations are ongoing,” he said.

Mr Murdoch added that while Bermuda’s impact on climate change on a global scale was “tiny”, its responsibility to set an example remained significant, including through the use of renewable energy alternatives to fossil fuels.

“Bermuda is a relevant player,” he said.

“It is important that it sets a good example to the extent that it can because it’s a small island that is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which brings more extreme weather events.

“So, to the extent that it can do, moving towards sustainable fuels is really positive.”

Mr Murdoch added: “Solar, wind and other renewables are really important areas to contribute towards the goal.”

The Government worked in partnership with Britain on the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy, which was published in November.

The document sets out a vision for sustaining plant and animal life in Bermuda and includes a review of environmental legislation.

Speaking to the report, Mr Murdoch said: “It recognises the shared vision on the importance of protecting biodiversity on so many levels and the priorities for Bermuda.

“They include community engagement and awareness about how you can make your own small contributions including getting away from single-use plastics, recycling and waste management. These things all matter.

“Where there are particular areas the Government and others want to work on, we can help try to facilitate those conversations.”

The 121-page strategy aligns with the UK Government’s approach to partnership with the territories and agreements of the 2024 Joint Ministerial Council.

The report said it signalled “a new era of collaboration and communication between our governments, united for nature”.

Britain has worked with each territory to set out long-term priorities for environmental protection with the support of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the public body that advises the UK Government on conservation.