US opts out of G7 pledge committing to Paris climate accord
BOLOGNA, Italy — The United States refused Monday to sign on to a Group of Seven pledge that calls the Paris climate accord the “irreversible” global tool to address climate change.
The G-7 environment ministers issued a final communique Monday after their two-day meeting, the first since the United States announced it was withdrawing from the Paris climate pact. In a footnote to the communique, the United States said it wouldn’t join with the other six countries in reaffirming their Paris commitments, but said it was taking action on its own to reduce its carbon footprint.
“The United States will continue to engage with key international partners in a manner that is consistent with our domestic priorities, preserving both a strong economy and a healthy environment,” the footnote read.
As a result, the U.S. said it would not join those sections of the communique on climate and multilateral development banks.