Joe Biden was heckled during his Cop27 speech at Sharm el-Sheikh as protests erupted when he called America a “world leader” in climate action.
Activists held banner with message against fossil fuels in packed auditorium
A few young activists holding a banner with a message against fossil fuels stood up in the Nefertiti Hall venue when the US president was addressing a packed auditorium.
They interrupted Mr Biden briefly with a loud noise as the US president paused and then continued with his speech. Soon after the activists were escorted out.
The protests took place as Mr Biden arrived on the sixth day of the summit amid extremely tight security.
Unlike in past climate meetings, protests have been severely curtailed at this year’s summit in Egypt. However, some activists have staged demonstrations inside and in front of the centre at Sharm el-Sheikh.
The US president did not make any announcements on the much talked about Loss and Damage fund but hailed the progress the country is making in climate action.
The president said he could announce “with confidence” the country’s commitment to meeting its target of reducing emissions by 50-52 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.
“My commitment to this issue [climate action] has been unwavering,” he declared.
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“Today, I can say finally with confidence that the United States of America will meet our emissions target by 2030.”
Poorer countries have called for Loss and Damage to be discussed at Cop, as the conference of the parties is known, for two decades. But this is the first time the issue has made the agenda.
Apart from Loss and Damage, there is also increased demand to phase out planet-warming fossil fuels entirely with increased anger against world leaders for failing to deliver on their promises.
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