While tensions over trade were expected at the talks in Japan’s Osaka, reaching agreement on language about climate action has proved just as contentious. Part of the issue is the 2015 Paris climate deal itself, which nearly 200 nations have signed up to. The agreement commits signatories to work to reduce emissions, but Washington plans to withdraw from it. – ‘Extremely difficult’ –This time around, Japan hoped to find a formulation everyone would agree on but EU countries demanded strong language and Washington tried to recruit allies to its climate-sceptic cause. Even before the G20 began, France’s President Emmanuel Macron said strong climate change language would be a “red line” for Paris.

Source: The Guardian June 29, 2019 08:26 UTC