Is ecology no longer a priority? Shocking words of the ministry at the G7 summit

French Minister for Ecological Transition Monique Barbut admitted on Thursday that environmental protection is no longer an international priority. The representative of France spoke about this in Paris at the meeting of environment ministers of the G7 group, which brings together the largest developed economies and democracies.

Barbut argued that G7 countries and their partners “bear a special responsibility.” – We have the opportunity to act and send a clear signal proving our determination and unity – appealed the representative of France.

G7 environment ministers talk in Paris, among others: on financial support for biodiversity conservation, ocean protection and desertification. The French side, as reported by the media before the meeting, hopes that the summit will result in an announcement of support for national parks in African countries and that approximately EUR 800 million will be collected for this purpose.

The G7 countries also hope to agree on a political declaration on desertification.

However, the issue of climate change will not be discussed, at least not directly. Barbut's colleagues were quoted by AFP as saying that it was decided that the meeting would focus on “less controversial issues.” They stated that the priority is the unity of the G7, while the position of the current US authorities on climate change is well known.

The G7 countries will not talk in Paris about giving up fossil fuels. However, this topic will appear in the coming days at an international conference in Colombia, which will gather about 50 countries.

The United States is represented at the meeting in Paris by Usha-Maria Turner, who holds managerial positions at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but not at the highest level. Turner covers international affairs and relations with indigenous communities. According to AFP, her presence is a signal that the US is not very interested in the Paris meeting.

After President Donald Trump returned to power, the United States made a radical turn in climate policy. The American president withdrew the US from the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, and the EPA withdrew from recognizing that greenhouse gases are a threat to public health.

France currently chairs the G7, which also includes Japan, Canada, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy.

From Paris Anna Wróbel (PAP)

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