(Montel) The Group of Seven economic powers on Friday promised to strive for “predominantly decarbonised electricity sectors by 2035”, they said following a meeting in Berlin.
The G7 would accelerate investment in clean energy as the world looked set to fail to prevent a rise in global temperatures above 1.5C, German economy minister Robert Habeck told a press conference.
The countries would also work towards “an eventual phase-out of domestic unabated coal power generation” by 2035, stopping short of a firm exit date, according to a final communique.
“If the impetus of this conference can be transferred from the G7 to the G20, and not just printed on paper, but actually unleash actions,... then this conference will have been a success,” Habeck said.
Indonesia was an observer at the meeting and currently chairs the G20, responsible for around 80% of global emissions.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine overshadowed the talks. Despite its climate objectives, the G7 urged the oil producer group Opec to raise production to alleviate energy markets constrained by western efforts to eschew Russian energy.
“Committing to a decarbonized power sector by 2035, even ‘predominantly’, is an important signal,” said Pieter de Pous, senior advisor at climate think tank E3G.
“It will now need follow up, especially by Japan and the US, to set out how they will align their energy transition plans to have coal-free power by 2030.”
The countries would also work towards “an eventual phase-out of domestic unabated coal power generation” by 2035, stopping short of a firm exit date, according to a final communique.
“If the impetus of this conference can be transferred from the G7 to the G20, and not just printed on paper, but actually unleash actions,... then this conference will have been a success,” Habeck said.
Indonesia was an observer at the meeting and currently chairs the G20, responsible for around 80% of global emissions.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine overshadowed the talks. Despite its climate objectives, the G7 urged the oil producer group Opec to raise production to alleviate energy markets constrained by western efforts to eschew Russian energy.
“Committing to a decarbonized power sector by 2035, even ‘predominantly’, is an important signal,” said Pieter de Pous, senior advisor at climate think tank E3G.
“It will now need follow up, especially by Japan and the US, to set out how they will align their energy transition plans to have coal-free power by 2030.”
