Joe Biden expected to appoint John Kerry as special envoy on climate change

John Kerry, then US Secretary of State, at a ceremony in 2014 in France, in memory of the three US soldiers who died during liberation of the Saint-Briac-sur-Me

Credit: JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD /AFP

Since leaving the Obama administration and ostensibly retiring, Mr Kerry has signed an agreement to publish his memoirs and commentated on American politics.

He has been a fierce critic of Donald Trump’s presidency and a cheerleader for Mr Biden.

Asked about Mr Biden’s suitability to the job in December 2019, Mr Kerry said: "He’ll be ready on day one to put back together the country and the world that Donald Trump has broken apart."

As special envoy, Mr Kerry would be responsible for attending international events designed to reach consensus on climate issues, including COP26, which is being hosted in Glasgow next year.

Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, has invited Mr Biden to attend COP26 himself.

In a call with the President-elect on Tuesday, Mr Johnson congratulated Mr Biden and suggested the UK and US could work together on climate policy.

Boris Johnson speaks to Joe Biden on Tuesday November 10 

Credit: Andrew Parsons/Number 10 Downing Street

A statement released by Downing Street, said the leaders “share priorities” on “tackling climate change, promoting democracy, and building back better from the coronavirus pandemic”.

Mr Biden has pledged to rejoin the Paris accords, an international agreement on climate and emissions Mr Trump abandoned.

The Paris accords were originally signed by Mr Kerry on behalf of the United States.

Mr Biden has also promised to make US electricity production carbon-free by 2035 and to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

COP26, which is officially known as the UN Climate Change Conference, was expected to take place earlier this year but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It is overseen by Alok Sharma, the Business Secretary.

Mr Biden’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.