President Obama says the private sector needs to have a seat at the table as the world's governments attempt to curb climate change.
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He says that governments will set the targets that nations will try to reach, but it will be scientists, private sector investors and workers who will largely determine whether those goals are met.
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Obama's remarks come as part of an event in which at least 19 governments and 28 investors were announcing billions of dollars toward researching and developing clean energy technology.
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Obama says Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is correct in noting that improving energy efficiency will only help nations get part of the way toward reaching their targets. New inventions and technology will also be required.
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He calls the partnership one of the most significant private-public partnerships even forged to accelerate energy innovation.
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Meanwhile, the United States, Canada and nine European countries have pledged nearly $250 million to help the most vulnerable countries adapt to rising seas, droughts and other impacts of climate change.
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The pledge was announced at the start of U.N. climate talks outside Paris on Monday and includes contributions of $53 million from Germany, $51 million from the U.S., and $45 million from Britain.
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The money will be made available to a fund for the least developed countries hosted by the Global Environment Facility, a major funder of environment projects worldwide. Other countries that contributed include Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland.
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Money for adaptation is a key demand by developing countries in the U.N. climate talks.
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The money would be used for things like helping vulnerable nations develop new agricultural practices for a hotter climate and boosting their preparedness to cope with extreme weather events linked to climate change. (AP)
