G7 Statements Omit References to Climate Change Amidst Increasing Wildfires

After two days of talks between G7 leaders in Kananaskis, only the Chair's summary makes a passing reference to climate, while one of the core statements coming out of the Kananaskis meeting focuses on the increasingly destructive threat of wildfires. 

"The G7 sidestepped climate change in the leaders’ statements," said Patricia Fuller, IISD President and CEO, "despite acknowledging increased wildfires. Previous G7 commitments to act on climate change remain on the books and must be delivered. We will look to meetings of the G7 energy and environment minister under the Canadian Presidency to continue this work."

The Kananaskis Wildfire Charter commits to combatting the threat of increased wildfires across all continents through actions grounded in scientific research and local knowledge. It notes the urgent need to reduce risks, respond quickly, and rebuild better, including through nature-based solutions. But the Charter is silent on the pressing need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Only through mitigating the impacts of climate change, and reducing the higher temperatures, weakened rainfall, and drought conditions it is engendering, can we effectively decrease the risk of these ecologically, economically and socially destructive events.  

In a more positive outcome, the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan emphasizes the importance of diverse and resilient critical mineral supply chains, which are key to enabling a clean energy transition. The Action Plan references sustainability and responsible mining, committing to a roadmap by the end of the year to promote standards-based markets for critical minerals. The statement also recognizes the opportunity to build mutually beneficial partnerships with developing countries, in a manner that fosters local value creation, combats gender-based violence and improves artisanal mining. In this connection, it notes that interested G7 members will support the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF), hosted by IISD, to promote responsible mining-related activities in emerging mining nations. The IGF has been instrumental in providing guidance to 86 member countries on best practices for mining governance. 

The G7 also acknowledged the challenges faced by developing countries with mounting debt levels but the commitment to action does not offer specifics beyond support for near term liquidity challenges. 

Read our G7 Deep Dive for a breakdown of promises the G7 committed to meeting in 2025 and beyond.