Macron urges US and China to oppose climate change: ‘Only Europeans pay’

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday, on the sidelines of COP27 in Egypt, that he wants to pressure rich countries outside of Europe to pay their share while helping poor countries tackle climate change.

“The United States and China must respond to this challenge, because it’s only Europeans who pay,” he said at a meeting with young people in Sharm el-Sheikh, where the 27th UN climate conference is held.

In Macron’s view, France and Europe in general are on the right track to reduce emissions. But large developing countries must “quickly abandon” coal as an energy source.

“Or the Europeans pay. And only we pay,” Macron said.

“It is necessary to put pressure on rich non-European countries,” he insisted.