Story perspectives

France Omits Climate, Offers $800 M for African Parks

4/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

France deliberately omitted climate change from the G7 environment agenda to avoid a clash with the United States.
The Paris G7 environment ministers meeting on April 23-24, 2024 featured EPA assistant administrator Usha-Maria Turner after President Donald Trump dismissed climate change as a hoax.
Ministers discussed biodiversity, ocean protection and desertification while France announced $800 million for African national parks.
Monique Barbut called the exclusion pragmatic despite activist criticism.

History

Historical Context

The Kyoto Protocol, adopted on 11 December 1997 and entering force in February 2005, bound 192 parties—including the European Union, which pledged an 8 % emissions cut for the first commitment period—while the United States signed but never ratified it. In April 2024 France omitted climate change from the G7 agenda, echoing the long-standing diplomatic avoidance that has kept comprehensive climate action stalled.

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Story summary

France deliberately omitted climate change from the G7 environment agenda to avoid a clash with the United States.
The Paris G7 environment ministers meeting on April 23-24, 2024 featured EPA assistant administrator Usha-Maria Turner after President Donald Trump dismissed climate change as a hoax.
Ministers discussed biodiversity, ocean protection and desertification while France announced $800 million for African national parks.
Monique Barbut called the exclusion pragmatic despite activist criticism.

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