US can honour climate pact without Trump

Billionaire climate advocate Michael Bloomberg met French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday as the political and grassroots response to Donald Trump's ditching of the Paris Agreement built up steam.

Bloomberg made an unannounced visit to Paris after launching a coalition of US cities and corporations that intends to uphold the Paris accord while Macron led Europe's charge to defend the pact.

"Today I want the world to know the US will meet our Paris commitment, and through a partnership among cities, states, and businesses, we will seek to remain part of the Paris agreement process," Bloomberg said at a joint press conference at the Elysee presidential palace.

"The American government may have pulled out of the agreement, but the American people remain committed to it. We will meet our targets."

Macron described the Paris accord as "irreversible" and hailed Bloomberg as "a key player in the climate battle."

"He can count on us," he added.

On Thursday, Bloomberg said mayors, governors, and business leaders from both political parties were "signing onto a statement of support that we will submit to the UN -- and together, we will reach the emission reduction goals the US made in Paris in 2015."