Some have questioned whether the donation influenced Kyte's appointment, particularly in light of a letter from shadow energy minister Joy Morrissey to the government seeking clarity on the matter. Despite the controversy, Kyte retains strong support from global climate leaders. Christiana Figueres, a former UN climate chief, praised her vast experience in climate finance, while Laurence Tubiana, another key figure in global climate negotiations, referred to Kyte as a "warrior on the global climate pitch."
Kyte's role with the Quadrature Climate Foundation is independent of the investment company, and she has no involvement in its financial decisions or political donations. Alongside her advisory board role, she will continue as a professor of climate policy at Oxford University's Blavatnik School of Government.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has confirmed that Kyte's appointment followed standard due diligence procedures and that her external roles will be reviewed to prevent any conflicts of interest. The Quadrature Climate Foundation, which operates independently from Quadrature Capital, has pledged over £700m to fund climate solutions globally and emphasizes its political neutrality.
Kyte's new role involves high-level climate diplomacy, where she will work closely with both developed and developing nations to address the global climate crisis.