G7 leaders blame US for failure to reach climate change agreement in unusually frank statement

In an unusual admission, Group of Seven (G7) leaders have said in their final communique from a summit in Italy that they had failed to bridge differences over climate change with US President Donald Trump - and America was unable to join other countries in committing to the Paris Agreement.

Mr Trump has said he needs more to time to decide
whether to pull out of the Paris climate change agreement. 

“The United States of America is in the process of reviewing its policies on climate change and on the Paris Agreement and thus is not in a position to join the consensus on these topics,” the communique read.

“Understanding this process, the heads of state and of government of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom and the presidents of the European Council and of the European Commission reaffirm their strong commitment to swiftly implement the Paris Agreement,” it added. 

Read the Independent story - “G7 leaders blame US for failure to reach climate change agreement in unusually frank statement.”

Donald Trump isolated on climate change in 'intense' exchange at G7 summit

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Donald Trump was isolated on climate change at the Group of Seven meeting on Friday, as the US president said he's in no rush to decide whether to scrap his country's involvement in the Group of Seven .

G7 leaders met in Sicily on Friday to discuss trade,
climate change, refugees and other issues. 

A closed-door session on the first day of the G7 summit in Sicily found unity on stepping up efforts to combat terrorism, but entered stormier waters on trade and on climate, Mrs Merkel said. At that stage it was six against one as leaders pressed Trump to hold to US agreements made under the landmark Paris climate accord.

Read the story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Donald Trump isolated on climate change in 'intense' exchange at G7 summit.”