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G7 ministers set big new targets for solar and wind capacity

Published 04/16/2023, 12:26 AM
Updated 04/16/2023, 07:35 PM
© Reuters. Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura, Environment Minister Akihiro Nishimura and other delegates attend the photo session of G7 Ministers' Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment in Sapporo, Japan April 15, 2023, in this

© Reuters. Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura, Environment Minister Akihiro Nishimura and other delegates attend the photo session of G7 Ministers' Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment in Sapporo, Japan April 15, 2023, in this

By Katya Golubkova and Yuka Obayashi

SAPPORO, Japan (Reuters) -The Group of Seven rich nations on Sunday set big new collective targets for solar power and offshore wind capacity, agreeing to speed up renewable energy development and move toward a quicker phase-out of fossil fuels.

But they stopped short of endorsing a 2030 deadline for phasing out coal that Canada and other members had pushed for, and left the door open for continued investment in gas, saying that sector could help address potential energy shortfalls.

"In the midst of an unprecedented energy crisis, it's important to come up with measures to tackle climate change and promote energy security at the same time," Japanese industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told a news conference.

"While acknowledging that there are diverse pathways to achieve carbon neutral, we agreed on the importance of aiming for a common goal toward 2050," he said.

G7 ministers finish two days of meetings on climate, energy and environmental policy in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo on Sunday. Renewable fuel sources and energy security have taken on a new urgency following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"Initially people thought that climate action and action on energy security potentially were in conflict. But discussions which we had and which are reflected in the communique are that they actually work together," said Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada's minister of natural resources.

In their communique, the members pledged to collectively increase offshore wind capacity by 150 gigawatts by 2030 and solar capacity to more than 1 terawatt.

They agreed to accelerate "the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels" - the burning of fossil fuels without using technology to capture the resulting C02 emissions - to achieve net zero in energy systems by 2050 at the latest.

On coal, the countries agreed to prioritise "concrete and timely steps" towards accelerating the phase-out of "domestic, unabated coal power generation", as a part of a commitment last year to achieve at least a "predominantly" decarbonised power sector by 2035.

Canada was clear that unabated coal-fired power should be phased out by 2030, and Ottawa, Britain and some other G7 members committed to that date, Canada's Wilkinson told Reuters.

"Others are still trying to figure out how they could get there within their relevant timeframe," Wilkinson said.

"We are trying to find ways (for) some who are more coal-dependent than others to find technical pathways how to do that," he said.

'HUGE STATEMENTS'

"The solar and wind commitments are huge statements to the importance that they will rely on the energy superpowers of solar and wind in order to phase out fossil fuels," said Dave Jones, who is head of data insights at energy think tank Ember.

"Hopefully this will provide a challenge to Japan, for which offshore wind is the missing part of the jigsaw that could see its power sector decarbonise much quicker than it thought possible."

Host country Japan, which depends on imports for nearly all its energy needs, wants to keep liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a transition fuel for at least 10 to 15 years.

© Reuters. Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura, Environment Minister Akihiro Nishimura and other delegates attend the photo session of G7 Ministers' Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment in Sapporo, Japan April 15, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo via REUTERS

The G7 members said investment in the gas sector "can be appropriate" to address potential market shortfalls provoked by the crisis in Ukraine, if implemented in a manner consistent with climate objectives.

They targeted 2040 for reducing additional plastic pollution to zero, bringing the target forward by a decade.

Latest comments

all serious scientists in the world agree that climate change is real. climate change deniers are the flat earthers of our time, and the rightwing lunatics in here prove it exactly. your references to communists are even more bizarre.. do you ever realize that coommunist stalinist russia and maoist china were responsible for some of the worst environmental destruction in history? you would have been right proud...
unless they speak of Thorium or Nuclear this is nothing but a power grab by socialistic ideologies orchestrated by very very evil people.
for india, if subsidy is easy accessible to domestic user atleast 10 million installation done in 1 year
How will countries like Canada replace the billions the government takes in from the oil industry?
I bought carbon tax credits so eat my exhaust
Lmao @ all the butt hurt pro pollution people 🤣
Do you have any idea what pollution is? How is it possible for such stupid people to have a computer on which to write your nonsense and lies You are the pollution, get rid of yourself
Warren Buffet buys oil companies....who should we believe, the greatest investor and connoisseur of economic processes where value is created or corrupt politicians working only government jobs all their lives....de facto without a working day all their lives
These people should be in jail or unemployed. Public service is not a license to violate economic rights.
Lmao clueless vokar only wants hard right facist and neo n a zi oil companies subsidized by the government
Its unbelievable how brainwashed dome of the poor people are about oil
 Do you have any idea what fascism is? How is it possible for such stupid people to have a computer on which to write your nonsense and lies
$250 a barrel oil is coming
Your 8-month old prediction of $100 oil still hasn't materialized. You are a terrible prognosticator.
Nuclear fusion is a process that could provide us with an unlimited source of clean energy. This energy could be used to power our homes, businesses, and transportation systems, and it could also be used to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. If we can solve the challenges of nuclear fusion, it could be a major breakthrough in the fight against climate change.
Come on Dr. Deceiver , when has Earth's climate not changed in the last 4 billion years?....and is something unusual now?
No the billions of metric tons of toxic gases realeased into the atmosphere capable of killing a human in under 15 minutes if exposed are great for the planet oeg vokar
@Tyler. Sustainable reaction has indeed been achieved. You are behind.
nature produces and absorbs co2 naturally, however, we ourselves are bringing nature out of balance with our extra emissions...
We are part of nature, there is no “natural balance.”
Then stop breathing if you believe this lie Stop using asphalt and plastic Stop traveling But  please, don't tell others what to do
we are emitting ever more co2 into the atmosphere, while at the same time chopping and burni g down the remaining rainforests.. you do the math...
The solution is the recognition and protection of property rights.
fact, nature can only absorb half of co2 emitted. the remaining CO2 stays in the atmosphere and contributes to global warming. 
..or climate change if you will
Fact: CO2 is currently at about 0.04%. It has almost nothing to do with warming trends…it’s an effect, not a cause.
Crazy, ill-educated liberal-communists
talking about yourself, I presume, judging from the ignorant nonsense you're spouting here..
Big fool
 First go learn a little then give advice. I bet you are one of the millions working for NGOs promoting climate change and spending money on it This is called theft, getting money for something that creates no value and no one uses it
small steps in the right direction.. however, working towards fusion energy (and away from fossile) should be top priority.
Photosynthesis is a process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy, moisture and CO2 (CARBON DIOXIDE) into chemical energy. Anyone who propagandizes for a Green Planet should emit CO2 and plant trees.....these fellows do the OPPOSITE
You are free to de-carbonize your own life, but not free to force others to follow your whims. Employing government to “save the planet” from mankind is a perverted and immoral goal.
No it isnt its the only way to stop greedy corporations from plundering and pillaging the earth
And a big saviour in theire goals,... nuclear energy. The cleanser and safest energy source on earth.
Except when the reactors explode
your fallacy is dropping context. One was a poor design built and operated by Soviet Socialists. The other was caused by a natural disaster. Even with the two you are not naming, fission reactors are much cleaner and safer than solar and wind. New designs are even cleaner and safer.
lol cleaner then solar and wind
in india supreme court judge are saving their own skin from ruling party
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