G7 Environment: climate not tackled head-on to "preserve G7 unity"

"We have chosen not to tackle the climate issue head-on, given the well-known position of the United States on the subject. We have chosen to focus on less confrontational subjects in order to preserve the G7 forum and send a message of unity", stated the office of Monique Barbut, Minister for Ecological Transition, on 20/04/2026, ahead of the G7 Environment meeting to be held in Paris from 23 to 24/04.

While the subject of climate will be addressed during the political discussions, in particular the link between desertification and security, and the three major events of 2026 (COP Climate, COP Desertification and COP Biodiversity), the G7, chaired by France, will focus on the adoption of texts on biodiversity, oceans, water and the resilience of real estate.

According to the cabinet, "if by the evening of the G7, we manage to adopt all the texts, it will show that we can still work with the United States", as the Trump administration has withdrawn from international organisations that fight climate change and cooperate at global level on environmental issues. "We will not have to…