Ex-NY Mayor Bloomberg named UN climate envoy

Former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has been chosen by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to be the U.N. special envoy for cities and climate change.

U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq announced the appointment of the billionaire businessman and philanthropist turned politician to the U.N. post on Friday.

He said Bloomberg will assist the secretary-general in his consultations with mayors and other key parties "to raise political will and mobilize action among cities as part of his longer-term strategy to advance efforts on climate change."