So much money has been poured into clean energy that it is unacceptable to cut back on efforts to stop carbon emissions, special climate envoy John Kerry said on Sunday.
Kerry noted that if countries follow through on their promises to phase out polluting fossil fuels, the world could limit average global warming to 1.7 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit), which is better than the worst-case scenario. , but still above the current limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
“The situation is very different from what it was a year ago, let alone what it was two or three years ago,” Kerry told The Associated Press after attending a meeting of the G7 energy and environment ministers.
“But we are not doing everything we promised to do,” he said. “Many countries, including ours, need to step up to reduce emissions faster, adopt renewables faster, adopt new technologies faster – it all has to happen.”
Kerry said the G-7 talks in Sapporo, northeast Japan, were “very constructive” and showed unity on phasing out fossil fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. tight.
Thursday’s meeting of the Major Economies Forum hosted by President Joe Biden, which brings together leaders from 20 countries that account for more than three-quarters of global carbon emissions, provides another opportunity to pledge resources to meet the target. net zero, Kerry said. .by 2050.
“The United States and the entire developed world have a responsibility to help the developing world through this crisis,” he said. “These countries will really influence the events of the future. If they reduce emissions, if they take the lead, if they start introducing new technologies, if they stop using fossil fuels altogether, we will increase the chances of winning this battle.
Kerry expressed hope for cooperation with China on climate issues despite friction over Taiwan, human rights, technology and other issues, saying he had had ‘a really good conversation’ with his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua a few days earlier.
“We agreed that we need to meet again in person during the visit and try to figure out what we can work on together to speed up the process. Is it doable? I hope so,” said John Kerry.
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