World cannot wait until coronavirus is beaten to take action on climate – John Kerry

John Kerry: 'I’m very sorry to say the suffering of Covid will be magnified many times over in a world that does not grapple with and ultimately halt the climate crisis'

US special presidential envoy for climate John Kerry. Picture: Chris Jackson/PA

The world does not have the luxury of waiting until coronavirus is “vanquished” to take action on the climate crisis, US special presidential envoy for climate John Kerry has warned.

He also said limiting temperature rises to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels – the threshold beyond which the most dangerous impacts of climate change are expected to be felt – requires urgent action by all major economies.