TURIN: G7 energy ministers have agreed a time frame for phasing out coal-fired power plants, British Nuclear and Renewables Minister Andrew Bowie said Monday, as the UN warned “excuses” for failing to take bold actions on climate change were “not acceptable”, AFP reported.
During a crucial meeting in Turin, G7 energy ministers have reached a significant agreement on a timeline for phasing out coal-fired power plants. British Nuclear and Renewables Minister Andrew Bowie confirmed the consensus, stating that the G7 has committed to shutting down coal plants by the first half of the 2030s.
This agreement comes in the wake of the international community’s pledge at the UN’s COP28 climate summit in December to transition away from fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and gas. The G7’s commitment underscores the urgency of addressing climate change and aligns with efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
According to a European source, the G7 draft outlines plans to phase out existing unabated coal power generation by the first half of the 2030s, with a specific focus on keeping temperature rise within reach of the 1.5°C target. While Italian Environment and Energy Security Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin acknowledged the technical agreement on the timeline, he noted that discussions are ongoing regarding the political aspects of the deal.
The potential agreement signals a significant step forward in global climate action, with French political sources expressing optimism about reaching an ambitious agreement on the effective phase-out of coal. UN climate chief Simon Stiell emphasized the importance of bold actions from highly industrialized countries like those in the G7, urging them to leverage their political influence, resources, and technologies to end fossil fuel use.
As the G7 grapples with the urgent need to address climate change, environmentalists and activists have called for concrete actions to follow through on pledges made at COP28. Italy, hosting the G7 rotating presidency this year, has prioritized discussions on renewable energy, energy efficiency, phasing out fossil fuels, and innovative financing models to support climate resilience in vulnerable countries.
The G7’s commitment to reducing plastic production to combat pollution is also expected to be included in the final statement, highlighting the group’s collective effort to address environmental challenges on a global scale. However, climate watchers and advocates emphasize the need for more ambitious emission reduction targets and increased climate finance to support adaptation and mitigation efforts worldwide.
