France Considers Keeping Climate Off G7 Agenda To Avoid Clash With US, Calls Move ‘Pragmatic’

Last Updated:April 24, 2026, 22:41 IST

France defends excluding climate change from G7 environment talks to avoid US tensions, focuses on biodiversity and water, prepares for G7 Summit 2026 in France.

France on Friday defended its decision to exclude climate change from formal discussions at a meeting of G7 environment ministers, saying the move was aimed at avoiding divisions, particularly with the United States.

French Environment Minister Monique Barbut said the approach helped ensure smooth negotiations. “It was a more pragmatic approach… avoiding the risk of certain partners walking away from the table," she told reporters.

The decision comes amid sharp differences with US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly dismissed climate change concerns and withdrawn the US from several international climate initiatives.

Despite the omission, the meeting held in Paris focused on areas of consensus, including biodiversity protection, water resource management, and ocean conservation.

“Nobody wanted a confrontation… everybody was willing to find a positive outcome," Barbut said, adding that there was progress on boosting funding for biodiversity and protecting ecosystems.

G7 Summit 2026: What’s Next

The environment ministers’ meeting is part of the broader run-up to the G7 Summit 2026, which France is hosting this year in Evian.

The leaders’ summit is expected to take place later in 2026 in France, bringing together heads of state from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada, and the European Union.

Key issues likely to dominate the summit include global economic stability, security challenges, ongoing conflicts, and energy markets—alongside continued debate over climate policy, despite its absence from the recent environment talks.

France has indicated it will aim to focus on areas of agreement among members, seeking to maintain unity within the G7 amid growing geopolitical and policy differences.

News world France Considers Keeping Climate Off G7 Agenda To Avoid Clash With US, Calls Move ‘Pragmatic’

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