G7 urged not to let US block more ambitious climate action

The G7 should not allow the US to block more ambitious climate action, said Oxfam, ahead of a meeting of G7 Environment Ministers in Metz, France on 5 and 6 May 2019.  The international agency is calling on Ministers to agree more ambitious emissions reductions, and a significant increase in funding, to help poor countries adapt to the climate crisis ahead of a G7 Heads of State Meeting at the end of August.

Armelle Le Comte, Senior Climate and Energy Policy Advisor at Oxfam, said: “US wrecking tactics are a reason to put climate action higher on the G7 agenda, not bury it under carpet. President Macron, who is keen to be seen as a global leader on this issue, must stand up to President Trump, push the G7 towards more ambitious action, and fast forward national reforms to reverse the current trend of rising French emissions.”

G7 countries are among the world’s 20 largest greenhouse gas emitters. By contrast the world’s poorest countries, which are already being hit hard by the climate crisis, are responsible for just 10 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions.

The G7 and the wider international community have also failed to outline how they will mobilise the US$ 100 billion a year promised by 2020 to support climate action in developing countries, or ensure enough new money is available to help poor countries adapt. Just one fifth of public climate finance is currently used to protect poor communities from climate impacts.

“More frequent and more extreme droughts, floods and monster storms, such as Cyclone Idai and Kenneth, are leaving millions of people without homes or food. Yet promises of funding to help poor countries adapt and protect their people have failed to materialise. G7 countries must take responsibility and foot their historic climate bill”, added Le Comte. 

Oxfam is calling on G7 member states, and in particular on the French presidency, to:

• Commit to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions well before the middle of the century and develop a concrete plan for phasing out all fossil fuel subsidies starting today
• Set out a clear roadmap for how they will mobilise US$ 100 billion a year by 2020 to support climate action in developing countries and commit to new and significantly increased funds for adaptation.

So far, only Germany has announced that it will double its contribution to the Green Climate Fund, so Oxfam is calling on the remaining G7 countries to step up their commitments and double down on their pledges.

* Oxfam International https://www.oxfam.org/en

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