The founders of Facebook and Microsoft are teaming up to tackle climate change.

Mark Zuckerberg has announced he is joining Bill Gates’ initiative which aims to invest in clean energy technologies.

The ‘Breakthrough Energy Coalition’ is a global group of private investors who will support companies which are taking innovative clean energy ideas into the marketplace.

It was launched yesterday ahead of the COP21 in Paris this week.

Bill Gates said: “I am optimistic that we can invent the tools we need to generate clean, affordable, reliable energy that will help the poorest improve their lives and also stop climate change. I hope even more governments and investors will join us.”

Mr Zuckerberg added that “building a positive future for the next generation also means investing in long term projects that companies and governments don’t fund”.

He said: “Solving the clean energy problem is an essential part of building a better world. We won’t be able to make meaningful progress on other challenges – like educating or connecting the world – without secure energy and a stable climate. Yet progress towards a sustainable energy system is too slow and the current system doesn’t encourage the kind of innovation that will get us there faster.”