Activists surprised and relieved at Manchin’s decision to back climate bill

But the senator's insistence on more fossil fuel drilling was called a climate suicide pact' by one expert

Climate advocates reacted with surprise and delight to Joe Manchin's decision to back a sweeping bill to combat the climate crisis, with analysts predicting the legislation will bring the US close to its target of slashing planet-heating emissions.

The West Virginia senator, who has made millions from his ownership of a coal-trading company, had seemingly thwarted Joe Biden's hopes of passing meaningful climate legislation - only to reveal on Wednesday his support for a $369bn package to support renewable energy and electric vehicle rollout.