Macron on climate change: 'The stakes are very high'

French President Emmanuel Macron paid homage to President-elect Joe Biden for his pledge to rejoin the Paris climate agreement, saying - in English - "Welcome back, welcome home to our American friends."Macron was addressing a virtual summit, celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Paris accords which set ambitious targets to reduce emissions.

Washington withdrew from the accords under President Donald Trump, but Biden has pledged to bring the US back into the fold.Heads of state and government from over 70 countries are participating in the event - the 2020 UN Climate Ambition Summit, co-hosted by the United Nations, France, Britain, Italy and Chile.During the event, the world leaders are expected to pledge to increase their efforts to curb the greenhouse gas emissions that fuel global warming.The Paris accord set a goal for keeping global temperatures from rising above levels that could have devastating consequences for mankind.

(Image Credit: AP)