'Under no circumstances': John Kerry rules out U.S. paying climate reparations to low-income nations

U.S. clime envoy John Kerry ruled retired paying into a planetary money to assistance with the devastating impacts of the clime exigency connected poorer nations, saying that "under nary circumstances" would the White House see delivering connected reparations.

It comes astatine a clip erstwhile countries acutely susceptible to climate-fueled disasters are pushing for affluent nations — that person the greatest historical work for the clime crisis — to wage for past greenhouse state emissions.

A alleged "loss and damage" money was established astatine the yearly U.N. clime acme past year. The groundbreaking statement seeks to compensate low-income countries for the losses and damages they're experiencing arsenic it becomes harder for galore radical to live safely connected a warming planet.

It remains unclear, however, precisely however overmuch richer countries volition wage into the fund. Climate reparations is simply a highly divisive and emotive contented that is seen arsenic a cardinal question of clime justice.

Asked during a proceeding earlier a House of Representatives overseas affairs oversight subcommittee connected Thursday whether helium intended for the U.S. to wage clime reparations, Kerry replied, "No, nether nary circumstances."

"Very good, I'm gladsome to perceive you accidental that," Brian Mast, R-Fla., president of the committee, said successful response.

Sitting alongside a ample placard entitled "What are you committing the United States to?," Mast past placed a "no" motion adjacent to the corresponding container connected clime reparations. "I bash person a 'no,' I'll enactment it up there," helium said.

Kerry, appearing to reaffirm his presumption connected nonaccomplishment and harm payments, added, "Why don't you make an exclamation constituent beside it excessively … ?"

Mast obliged, saying helium was gladsome they some had statement connected the issue. "There you go, there's your exclamation point," helium said.

Kerry made the remarks soon earlier flying to Beijing, China, for bilateral talks connected the clime crisis.

U.S. and Chinese officials are expected to sermon however to beforehand a palmy COP28 clime acme successful Dubai aboriginal successful the year.

Climate justness advocates condemned Kerry's comments connected reparations.

"I person immoderate quality for [John Kerry]," Saleemul Huq, manager of the Bangladesh-based International Centre for Climate Change and Development, said via Twitter connected Friday.

"U.S. citizens are already 'paying' for nonaccomplishment and harm from quality induced clime alteration nether the vigor dome successful Texas arsenic good arsenic successful New York from smoke from wildfires successful Canada!" helium added.