World leaders pledge to lower carbon emissions at US-led summit

By AP 22 April 2021, 4:29 pm

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel is attending a virtual international climate summit with US President Joe Biden in Berlin, Germany, April 22, 2021. (Kay Nietfeld/AP via Pool)

World leaders including China’s President Xi Jinping, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel are addressing a virtual global summit on climate change hosted by US President Joe Biden.

Speaking from their home countries, the world leaders pledge action to lower carbon emissions, although they differ on details.

Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga emphasizes the global nature of the event, saying, “Good morning, good afternoon and good evening, everyone.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the effort “is not bunny hugging” but is about growth and jobs — and the survival of the planet.

Merkel calls the battle against climate change “a huge task.”