PM ‘not counting chickens’ that President Biden will pledge further funding to tackle climate change

ITV News Correspondent Romilly Weeks reports on the PM's sharp words for some of his fellow delegates, accusing them of not doing enough to help tackle global warming

Boris Johnson is hesitant in hoping Joe Biden will commit to tackling the climate crisis with more funding.

The Prime Minister insisted "we are not counting our chickens" but said it would "send a massively powerful signal" if the US President agrees to pledge £73 billion a year to support developing nations to cut emissions.

Mr Johnson had earlier downplayed the prospects of reaching the figure by the Cop26 summit he is hosting in November, but ministers appeared hopeful that Mr Biden could spur things on during his speech at the United Nations on Tuesday.

US climate envoy John Kerry had suggested the 100 billion dollar target will be met, hinting that Mr Biden could announce more money.

But, speaking to reporters at the UN on Monday, Mr Johnson said: “We have been here before. We have all heard lots of pledges and positive noises.

“We are not counting our chickens here.”

Asked if it could be a game-changer if Mr Biden adds more funds, the Prime Minister said: “It will make a huge difference.

“It will send a massively powerful signal to the world, the developing countries, that we in the industrialised West really do take it seriously and we really are willing to step up to the plate and help them.”

Cop26 President Alok Sharma appeared positive about the prospects of making a stride towards the target after hearing from Mr Kerry.

“Certainly a good announcement from the US will make a big difference in terms of getting us over the line,” the minister told reporters.

During discussions Mr Johnson hosted alongside UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Prime Minister told world leaders including Mr Kerry he is growing “increasingly frustrated” that their commitments to the crisis are “nowhere near enough”.

He said the gap between what industrialised nations have promised and what they are actually delivering remains “vast”.

And Mr Johnson urged them to redouble their efforts to hit the financing pledge, saying: “Too many major economies – some represented here today, some absent – are lagging too far behind.

“When the summit ends, when most of the world has committed to decisive, game-changing action, it will be clear to all which of us has lacked the courage to step up.

“The world will see, and your people will remember, and history will judge.

“So you can look away, you can do the minimum, you can hope that if you feed the crocodile enough it will devour you last. Or you can show leadership.”

On Sunday Mr Johnson conceded there is only a “six out of 10” chance of hitting the 100 billion dollar target before the the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow.

But, in New York, Mr Kerry said: “I think we’re going to get it done by Cop and the US will do its part.”

Asked if Mr Biden will announce more funds this week, the former US secretary of state added: “I’m not hoping… I’m telling you to stay tuned into the president’s speech and we’ll see where we are.”