While world leaders were gathered in the scenic mountains of Kananaskis, an estimated 225 wildfires were burning across Canada, 120 of which were classified as out of control.
By Erminia Voccia
G7 in Canada addresses wildfire response but avoids the climate crisis
The final communiqué of the G7 summit in Canada includes a dedicated section on tackling wildfires, yet it fails to mention climate change. Leaders of the seven largest global economies agreed on a joint plan to strengthen efforts to prevent wildfires, reduce their spread, and manage their effects. The “Kananaskis Wildfire Charter,” as the document is called, was introduced as a groundbreaking move but ultimately misses a critical point: recognizing global warming as a key driver behind the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires.
What the G7 concluded on wildfires
G7 leaders expressed deep concern over the unprecedented number of catastrophic wildfire events recorded in the past decade, which have harmed both forests and communities. The Kananaskis Charter emphasizes a shared commitment to reducing the health impacts of wildfires on human populations.
It also lays out intentions to minimize wildfire risks through sustainable forest management. The document calls for identifying areas where natural regeneration is most effective and adopting strong measures to safeguard biodiversity. Additional focus is placed on improving urban infrastructure resilience, advancing research into root causes, and promoting data sharing, including insights from local communities’ on-the-ground experiences.
The charter received support not only from G7 member states but also from invited non-member countries such as India, Australia, Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea. The timing of the announcement is particularly notable: while world leaders gathered in the scenic mountains of Kananaskis, an estimated 225 wildfires were burning across Canada, 120 of which were reported as out of control. 2025 is already shaping up to be one of the country’s worst wildfire years on record.
No mention of global warming
The wildfire charter fails to include any reference to climate change, which scientists widely regard as a major contributing factor to the surge in wildfire activity. The omission is striking and may reflect political caution from G7 members not to antagonize the U.S. President.
The last time Donald Trump attended a G7 summit in Canada, he arrived late, insulted then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and abruptly left for Singapore. He later sent a message from Air Force One stating that he was withdrawing his support for the summit’s 28-point final statement.
