PARIS, April 24 (Reuters) - France wound up a meeting of G7 environment ministers on Friday defending its "pragmatic" decision to keep climate change off the agenda to avoid a clash with the U.S. U.S.
France Drops Climate Change From G7 Agenda to Prevent US Confrontation
France's Pragmatic Approach at the G7 Environment Ministers Meeting
Background of the G7 Meeting
PARIS, April 24 (Reuters) - France wound up a meeting of G7 environment ministers on Friday defending its "pragmatic" decision to keep climate change off the agenda to avoid a clash with the U.S.
US Position on Climate Change
U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed climate change as a hoax despite scientific evidence, and has withdrawn his country from several international climate bodies.
France's Decision and Rationale
Pragmatism Over Confrontation
Keeping it off the formal agenda of the Paris-hosted meeting was "a more pragmatic approach" that avoided "the risk of certain partners walking from the negotiating table," French Environment Minister Monique Barbut told reporters.
Consensus Among G7 Members
"Nobody wanted a confrontation and everyone is relieved this G7 meeting happened in good conditions. Everybody was willing to find a positive outcome and work on widely shared issues."
Key Issues Discussed at the Meeting
Biodiversity, Water Resources, and Ocean Protection
The talks covered issues ranging from biodiversity to water resources and ocean protection, added Barbut, whose country is the current chair of the G7 bloc of wealthy nations.
Progress and Positive Outcomes
"I am happy with the outcome. I asked to look at the points of convergence," she said, citing progress on nature protection and boosting funding for biodiversity.
(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
