The United States’ top climate change diplomat, John Kerry, will remain in his position as President Joe Biden’s special climate envoy at least through this year’s United Nations climate negotiations scheduled for December in Dubai, putting a stop to rumours that he would leave shortly.
In an interview with The Boston Globe that was published Sunday night, Kerry said that he had notified Biden of his decision to remain in his position, adding that he has unfinished business in his role and cannot abandon it at this time.
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A spokesperson of the State Department confirmed the news that Kerry will stay on through the COP28 climate meeting, where nations will hold a “global stocktake” to assess the gap between their progress in combating climate change and the goals of the Paris climate agreement to keep temperatures “well below” 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Countries also will begin laying the stakes for climate finance pledges beyond 2025 at the Dubai conference.
Kerry’s decision to continue in his current position, however, will make him a target of investigations by the House’s Republican leadership. James Comer, the chair of the House Oversight Committee, has already requested papers and communications from Kerry’s office. But Kerry has said he has nothing to hide.
Story was adapted from Politico
