Nov 3, 2021 12:12 PM EDT

Kerry applauds ambition at COP26, but ‘the real issue is going to be follow-up’

COP26 Summit - Day Three

U.S. envoy for climate and former Secretary of State John Kerry at COP26 on Nov. 02, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

GLASGOW, Scotland — U.S. special envoy for climate John Kerry said Wednesday that the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow have more energy and focus than previous rounds of climate negotiations in particular because of the strong presence and support of the private sector.

“I think we are going to have the greatest increase in ambition we’ve ever had, we probably do in these first 36 hours, and the real issue is going to be follow-up, working with them,” Kerry told a gathering of mayors from around the globe involved in climate initiatives at a local level.