Gates to lead fund that invests in transformative energy R&D

New York

PRESIDENT-ELECT Donald Trump has bred fears that the United States will take a back seat in global efforts to tackle climate change.

Could a billion-dollar investment fund led by Bill Gates and his fellow technology titans fill the void?

Mr Gates, the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft, announced on Monday the start of a fund to invest in transformative energy research and development to reduce the emissions that cause climate change. The work would supplement and build on basic research already underway at government labs that may be threatened by the incoming administration.

Despite Mr Trump's expressed scepticism about climate change and his appointment of fossil fuel advocates to his Cabinet, Mr Gates said that he expected the president-elect to recognise that government funding of basic research would …