Energy ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies have come together to make a groundbreaking decision: they’ve reached a deal to close down their coal-fired power plants by the first half of the 2030s.
This significant move marks a crucial step towards transitioning away from fossil fuels and combating climate change.
Italian energy minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, who is chairing the G7 ministerial meeting in Turin, announced the breakthrough, stating that while there’s a technical agreement in place, the final political deal will be sealed on Tuesday.
During this upcoming meeting, the ministers will issue a final communique outlining their commitments to decarbonize their economies.
Pichetto also revealed that the ministers are considering potential restrictions on Russian imports of liquefied natural gas to Europe, an issue that the European Commission is expected to propose soon.
While specifics were not disclosed, Pichetto emphasized that the matter is on the agenda and being actively addressed.
The agreement to phase out coal aligns with the direction set by the COP28 United Nations climate summit last year, which emphasized the need to eliminate fossil fuels, particularly coal, due to its high pollution levels.
Italy, for instance, plans to shut down its coal-fired plants by 2025, except for those in Sardinia, where the deadline is extended to 2028.
Germany and Japan, however, face a greater challenge as coal plays a more significant role in their energy mix, accounting for over 25% of electricity production last year. Despite this, last year’s G7 summit, under Japan’s presidency, committed to prioritizing steps towards phasing out coal without specifying a deadline.
Additionally, nuclear energy and biofuels are key topics on Italy’s agenda for the meeting. Pichetto confirmed that these options would be included in the final communique as viable alternatives for G7 nations to decarbonize both power generation and transportation.
Moreover, the G7 ministers are expected to highlight the importance of increasing battery capacity six-fold by 2030 compared to 2022 levels.
This boost in battery storage is critical for storing renewable energy, which can be intermittent, ensuring a more reliable and sustainable energy supply.
The G7’s decisive action reflects a growing global commitment to combatting climate change and accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources. With coal phase-out plans and a focus on alternative energy solutions, these major economies are setting an example for others to follow in the fight against climate crisis.
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