The world cannot afford to falter on its climate commitments, regardless of setbacks like the United States' recent exit from the Paris Agreement, Britain's climate envoy said on Thursday (via Reuters).
As the world's second largest emitter pulled away from the global climate accord, the United Kingdom's climate envoy, Rachel Kyte, emphasised the importance of staying on track with the reductions pledged under the agreement.
While some may see the U.S. withdrawal as a hurdle, Kyte pointed out that the scientific consensus and the collective resolve of other nations remain unchanged. With the UK forging ahead with its ambitious clean energy goals, Kyte reassured that the financial backing for green energy, despite concerns over defence spending, is still a priority.
Although the United States is also stepping back from certain climate partnerships, Kyte remains optimistic that the continued investment from other global players will drive the necessary transition away from coal. For now, it remains to be seen how the shifting dynamics will shape the future of global climate cooperation.