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U.S. Blocks Binding G7 Commitments on Tech’s Environmental Toll and Regulation

The transatlantic split leaves the fate of digital sustainability to be settled at the June leaders’ summit in Evian.

Overview

  • G7 digital ministers met in Paris on Friday, May 29, 2026, to draft a joint tech policy declaration ahead of the June leaders’ summit.
  • U.S. negotiators refused to accept language that would commit the group to tackling the tech sector’s environmental footprint or to discuss regulating large tech firms.
  • Because of U.S. objections the work area title was softened from “environmental impact of digital technology” to “supporting the resilience and performance of the digital sector.”
  • Ministers did reach a limited deal on online child protection, agreeing principles on age checks, designing services to protect minors, and tackling illegal content.
  • France produced four annexes on AI safety, governance, energy and economic diffusion after months of talks, with energy demand from AI and data centers flagged by European agencies as a growing climate concern.