Climate change adaptation important topic at G7 environment ministers’ meeting – env min

Climate change adaptation has played a big role at the G7 environment ministers’ meeting, said German environment minister Svenja Schulze in a telephone press briefing after the first day of the meeting in Halifax, Canada. “It is important to discuss this question against the backdrop of the dry summer, tropical storms and the concern especially in the developing countries,” she said. At the meeting, six of the seven countries reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement. While the US delegation made clear their standpoint regarding climate protection, there was no feeling of a “blockade”, said Schulze. “Overall, we had a very positive meeting. Ahead of [COP24 at] Katowice, it is important to keep discussions going with as many actors as possible.” The G7 was formed to debate the most important economic topics, said Schulze, and “environmental policy is now a fully established issue here”. At the meeting, guests like companies Unilever and BASF presented best practices on topics such as circular economy, said Schulze. “The companies put pressure on the political sphere to become more ambitious.” 

Find the chair’s summary in English here.