New Zealand's former leader speaks to TVB News about climate change

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark says that nations should speed up energy transition as part of their contribution to tackle climate change. Clark speaks to TVB News at PBC, an international philanthropy forum organised by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

It has been over a week since the mudslide and flooding erupted along the Nepal-China border. The catastrophe has affected thousands of families, while rescuers continue to find survivors. The event also, once again, draws the world's attention to climate change: many have blamed the incident on a glacial collapse.

Speaking to TVB News, former New Zealand Prime Minister, who has long committed to climate change advocacy, says public should wait for the inquiry of scientists on the triggering factors.

New Zealand's former Prime Minister Helen Clark says "But what we know is that the glacier and ice pack in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region is under tremendous pressure from climate change, and that it's hard to believe that that would not have had an impact on the collapse, which happened, which triggered the very, very severe downstream of consequences."

Some countries such as the US have withdrawn from international climate agreements and organisations. Clark agrees that climate change advocacy has become more challenging amid the shifting geopolitical landscape, but she stresses that the issue requires global contribution.

"You will see from time to time, in places where governments come and go, swings in government's attitudes. One hopes that overtime the balance would be for action because we need everybody to act, not just some countries."

Asked what actions governments should undertake for the climate,

Clark states nations should speed up the process of energy transition -- a vital step for economic development, and not rely on fossil fuels.

"Any country which is now a new entrant to that market needs to think very carefully about whether to put any state capital into it at all. Because as the energy transition gathers pace there will be less amount of those products. Those who have tied their future to fossil fuels are not going to have a great future."