HAMBURG, Germany (AP)—German Chancellor Angela Merkel says 19 members of the Group of 20 have reaffirmed the Paris climate accord as “irreversible.”
Merkel said Saturday that the summit’s final statement “takes account” of the U.S. position rejecting the climate deal.
That leaves the United States as the odd one out after President Donald Trump announced his intent to withdraw the U.S. from the agreement. The Paris accord aims to lower emissions of the greenhouse gases scientists say cause global warming.
Merkel called the U.S. position “regrettable.”
Officials did reach a common statement including Trump about the other contentious issue at the summit, trade.
The statement retains the G-20’s longstanding rejection of protectionism. But it also acknowledged that trade must be mutually beneficial and that countries can use “legitimate” trade defenses to protect workers and industries against being taken advantage of by trade partners.
At 2 p.m. local time, President Vladimir Putin said Russia will meet its obligations under the Paris climate agreement.
Speaking at a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Hamburg, Putin said that “we honor the Paris agreement.” He added that Russia has made decisions related to the implementation of the deal and intends to implement them.
Macron hailed Putin’s pledge as “very important.”
Russia, the world’s fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, was among the 195 countries that signed the 2015 Paris agreement but it delayed its ratification for at least two years.
Russia’s carbon emissions reduction goals are very modest, and it also insisted that it be given the maximum potential credit for carbon adsorbed out of the atmosphere by vast Siberian forests.
First G20 meeting in history where the U. S. President was not the most powerful figure present.
Imagine having such a really big brain that you’re smarter than all the leaders of the G20. No science required.
First G20 meeting in history where the U.S. President was: (fill in the blank).
Trump has a way of diminishing everything and everyone he’s around.
His family, the conservative movement, his Primary opponents, his staff and cabinet members, and now, the USA.
Even Merkel and Macron probably feel a little dirty right about now.
But it’s a dry stupid.
“Odd one out” indeed.