A G7 Environment in Paris without climate but with cooperative United States

In France, important progress was made on the first day of the G7 focused on the environment in Paris. The country chose not to address the climate issue head-on in order to avoid alienating the United States, who have shown themselves to be cooperative.

“We have seven texts up for approval and all seven will be approved,” stated Monique Barbut, the French Minister of Ecological Transition, after the first day of G7 environmental negotiations. The United States has been described as “very constructive” and “extremely cooperative” during the discussions.

Although acknowledging that environmental protection is no longer an international priority, as stated in her opening speech, Barbut highlighted the responsibility of the G7 and its partners to act decisively and show determination and unity.

France’s five priorities for discussion include financing biodiversity protection, preserving the ocean, securing water resources, highlighting the link between desertification and security, and increasing the resilience of territories and infrastructure to natural risks. These themes are all linked to climate change.

Avoiding direct discussion on climate change and fossil fuel divestment to accommodate the United States, the approach has been criticized by environmental organizations. The return of Donald Trump to the White House has led to setbacks in climate protection efforts, including the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.

The G7 representative from the United States is Usha-Maria Turner, a second-rank director at the Environmental Protection Agency. France hoped to attract the Trump administration and other partners with an initiative to encourage public and private financing for biodiversity protection.

A concrete step towards this initiative is expected by the G7 summit in Evian in June with a program around 600 million euros dedicated to Africa. On top of that, 400 million euros would come from philanthropic foundations, including a significant contribution from Rob Walton, heir to Walmart.

While the focus on biodiversity financing in discussions is appreciated, the funds should be additional and not a substitute for government commitments, according to Jean Burkard, director of advocacy at WWF France.

Published on April 23 at 8:29 PM by AFP.