Japan waters down G20 climate commitment ahead of leaders’ summit

(Climate Change News, 26 Jun 2019) Draft communique circulated by the host stops short of endorsing implementation of the Paris Agreement, in an apparent bid to keep the US onside.

Japan has drafted a weak statement on climate action as host of a G20 leaders’ summit later this week, in an apparent bid to keep the US onside.

The draft communique, seen by Climate Home News, follows a G20 environment ministerial last week in which all countries but the US reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the Paris Agreement.

The document shows efforts from Japan to build consensus with the US at a time when the two countries are negotiating a trade deal. But other G20 members, including the European Union, are expected to push for more ambitious language even at the expense of US endorsement.

Since Donald Trump’s inauguration, G20 leaders have been unable to reach an agreement on climate and have instead adopted a “G19+1” approach, with the US reiterating its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement in a separate statement in the text.

“What is different from previous years is the degree to which Japan is caving in to the US,” said Luca Bergamaschi, senior associate at think-tank E3G. “To have a single G20 position [on climate] would be farcical because there is no consensus.”

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Climate Change News, 26 Jun 2019: Japan waters down G20 climate commitment ahead of leaders’ summit