Biden apologizes for US pulling out of the Paris Agreement, says he wants to avoid ‘climate hell’

President Joe Biden apologized for the US’ withdrawal from the Paris climate accord on Friday when he addressed a major climate summit and outlined how the world can help avoid “climate hell” by moving away from fossil fuels.

“The climate crisis is about human security, economic security, environmental security, national security and the life of the planet,” Biden said at the COP 27 summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

He arrived there on Friday afternoon, the first leg of a round-the-world trip that will take him to a meeting of Southeast Asian leaders in Cambodia and a group of 20 summits on the Indonesian island of Bali.

It was an opportunity to trumpet billions of dollars in spending and demonstrate that the US was once again leading the way in the fight against climate change.

That wasn’t enough for some in the audience. A group of protesters briefly silenced Biden as they cried and put up a banner that read, “Humans vs. fossil fuels,” before it was snatched by guards.

Biden continued his speech, announcing: more than $150 million to help African countries prepare for emergencies.

But one of the biggest rounds of applause came when he described how his administration had rejoined the Paris Agreement after President Donald Trump pulled out.

“We immediately rejoined the Paris Agreement,” Biden said.

“We’ve convened and reset major climate summits… My apologies for ever withdrawing from the agreement.”

Biden intended to show partners that America is back, after the isolationism and unilateralism of the Trump years.

Friday’s speech was part of an effort to keep its money in place, following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and the largest single spending package focused on climate change.

We hasten to do our part to avert the ‘climate hell’ that the UN Secretary General so passionately warned about earlier this week.

“We’re not ignoring the harbingers that are here. It’s true. So many disasters,” he said.

“The climate crisis is hitting those countries and communities that have the fewest resources to respond and recover the hardest.”

Earlier this week, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told delegates the world was headed for climate hell.

For that reason, Biden said, it was vital to fund efforts to help poorer countries prepare for climate emergencies.

Today, as a down payment, we are announcing more than $150 million in initiatives that “specifically support the preparedness, adaptation efforts across Africa, including adaptation in Africa, efforts that Egypt and the United States launched together in June.”

This includes support for expanding early warning systems to help cover Africa, broadening access to climate finance, providing protection against disaster risks, strengthening food security, mobilizing the private sector and supporting a new training center in Egypt.

After his speech, he was asked how he would convince Republicans to fund the spending plans.

“Reality,” he replied.

Biden would only stay in Egypt for a few hours after Air Force One landed in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

He first met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and praised his support for Ukraine.

Biden is under pressure to raise the issue of human rights with the Egyptian leader, but instead described how el-Sisi had been a key ally after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“In light of the Russian war in Ukraine, Egypt has spoken strongly at the United Nations and that is very much appreciated,” Biden said.

Reporters were then led out of the room so that private conversations could begin.

Biden begins his week of high-level diplomacy stated that the US was back as a leader on climate change.

And he announced a rule to crack down on methane — a potent greenhouse gas — emitted from all drilling sites, extending a stricter regulation unveiled last year.

Biden faces calls from the US to do more to help countries suffering the impact of carbon emissions.

Increasing financial aid to poor countries has emerged as one of the key themes of the 13-day COP 27 climate conference.

They have the backing of several European countries that have pledged money – but pressure is mounting on the US, historically the largest producer of greenhouse gases, and China, which is now the largest emitter of carbon.

The US and China must stand up, French President Emmanuel Macron said earlier this week.

“We have to put pressure on rich non-European countries and they say, ‘You have to pay your fair share,'” he said.

The US has historically resisted discussing the idea of ​​”loss and damage,” as the issue is called.

But John Kerry, Biden’s climate envoy, has raised the issue in speeches, even though Congress has indicated that it is reluctant to embrace the idea of ​​any kind of climate aid.

Biden was also expected to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and regional security issues with el-Sisi.

Before their meeting, the Egyptian leader said: “First of all, I would like to emphasize that the strength of the strategic relationship with the United States has not changed in more than 40 years.

“There has always been understanding for all things.”

He added that his country had launched a national human rights strategy.

Biden replied, “I could listen to you much longer. No, I am serious.’

And he thanked him for hosting the COP27 summit

A day earlier, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Biden would raise human rights concerns with el-Sisi, whose government has been repeatedly accused of abuse.

“He thinks you’re not the US president — you’re not really doing your job as a US president — if you don’t raise human rights issues,” he told reporters at the White House.

He would raise the case of imprisoned Egyptian pro-democracy activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah, who is on hunger strike.

The White House later said it raised human rights, but gave no further details.