Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze is travelling to Halifax, Canada for a meeting of the environment ministers of the G7 countries from 19 to 20 September 2018. Climate action, marine litter and efficient resource use will be the focus of discussions. The environment minister meeting follows the G7 summit for heads of state and government, held in Charlevoix in June, where six of the seven G7 countries called for swift implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Minister Schulze commented: "Environmental policy is crucial for solutions to our global challenges. Particularly in difficult times, it is important to seek out personal conversations within the G7. In climate action, we want to fly the flag for the Paris Agreement despite differences of opinion. A summer of drought and tropical storms makes it clear that not only developing countries but industrialised countries too are hard hit by climate change. The G7 countries do not just have special responsibility in climate action. They should also pioneer the development of solutions for adaptation to climate change and support developing countries in their adaptation efforts."
On 19 September, the agenda includes adaptation to climate change, climate action and resource efficiency, which was first added to the G7 and G20 agendas under Germany's Presidency. This work is now bearing fruit and could culminate in concrete agreements on promoting circular economy.
On 20 September, the discussion will focus on potential joint measures to combat marine litter. "Prevention must take priority over clean-up. I support preventing the generation of marine litter to begin with. We must work for sustainable and resource-efficient use of plastics along the entire life cycle, from product design and manufacture to recycling," Schulze remarked.
For all of the topics discussed, Canada has invited high-level representatives of international organisations, civil society, the scientific community, banks and corporations to enter into discussions with the G7 ministers.