Aidan Lewis

CAIRO, Reuters – Climate change must be tackled immediately even though international attention is on Russia and Ukraine. This was the U.S. ambassador John Kerry’s assertion Monday while he visited Cairo.

Egypt will host the COP27 Climate Conference in November. Kerry stated that the goal for the year was to get more countries (including Russia and China) onboard to establish ambitious climate goals and implement pledges made at COP26.

Kerry, who was once secretary of state, stated that the Ukraine crisis has made him worry about international laws and borders.

Kerry said to Reuters, “But I am concerned regarding the climate efforts that a conflict is the last thing needed with respect to aunified effort to tackle the climate problem.”

“Even though we wish we could compartmentalise, it is just that much harder without any questions.”

Kerry spoke to reporters after meeting Sameh Shoukry (Egyptian Foreign Minister), who will be chairing COP27.

Shoukry & Kerry reported that Egypt and America have formed a working group in order to establish priorities for COP27, and to help Egypt with its energy transition.

Experts suggest that Egypt could achieve a higher goal, with 42% renewable power by 2030. The government has a strategy in place for 2050.

Kerry cited the work Kerry did to provide technology and finance to Indonesia and help China reduce its coal consumption as two examples of efforts to push for new commitments before COP27.

He also stated that the pace of the energy transition was not at the required speed. “We are not moving fast enough. Not enough is happening.”

Kerry answered a question about companies greenwashing their operations with net zero announcements. Kerry also said that rules in Glasgow would ensure transparency, and satellites would track carbon dioxide emissions.

He said, “We now have an accountability like we’ve never experienced before and it’s up to us to ensure that we apply it.”