The Special Presidential Envoy for Climate to newly-inaugurated US President Joe Biden has said that "the road to Glasgow begins here" in the wake of the President's move to reinstate the US to the Paris climate agreement just hours after being sworn in to office.
Former Secretary of State John Kerry made the statement in a tweet last night following the reversal of the previous administration’s withdrawal from the 2015 accord, which seeks to limit global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
He tweeted: "POTUS rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, restoring America’s credibility and commitment — setting a floor, not a ceiling, for our climate leadership.
"Working together, the world must and will raise ambition. It’s time to get to work - the road to Glasgow begins here."
The Special Presidential Envoy for Climate's tweet was shared by the U.S. Consulate General Edinburgh, who said they are looking forward to welcoming the US delegation to Glasgow for the UN COP26 summit which is scheduled to take place in November.
The news of the President's decision to rejoin the Paris Agreement was met with enthusiasm from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who tweeted: "President Joe Biden rejoining the Paris Agreement is hugely positive news. In the year we host COP26 in Glasgow, I look forward to working with our US partners to do all we can to safeguard our planet."
And Glasgow Lord Provost Philip Braat welcomed the news by tweeting: "I look forward to welcoming The Special Presidential Envoy for Climate to Glasgow for COP26.
"We understand that challenges lay ahead, but following POTUS' renewed commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement, a robust plan for global climate justice can be achieved #RoadtoGlasgow."
Yesterday we reported how Glasgow City Council is hoping to recruit an army of 1,000 volunteers for the global summit, which will be held at the SEC Centre on the banks of the River Clyde.
Positions include providing information on the conference and the venues, supporting delegates staying in and travelling around the city, and promoting the best of what Glasgow and Scotland has to offer.
