Microsoft co- founder Bill Gates unveils multibillion- dollar plan to boost clean- energy projects.

Microsoft co- founder and philanthropist Bill Gates unveiled plans Monday by an international coalition to invest billions of dollars in clean- energy projects to combat global warming.

Gates unveiled the initiative on the opening day of the summit on climate talks alongside President Obama, French President François Hollande and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Among the 20 countries participating in Mission Innovation are France, the U. S., India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Canada and Norway. Joining them are a group of 28 international investors, including Marc Benioff, chairman and chief executive of Salesforce. com; Virgin Group founder Richard Branson; and Prince Alwaleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia.

The countries pledged to double investment in low or no- carbon energy research. At the same time, Gates said investors will support companies that bring innovative clean- energy ideas to the marketplace. That alliance will be called the Breakthrough Energy Coalition.

Gates said last summer he would invest about $ 1 billion over the next five years to clean- energy projects.