The Group of Seven (G7) nations have made a significant step forward in their efforts to tackle climate change and promote energy security by pledging to increase renewable energy targets. The G7 comprises the United States, Canada, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Japan.
Following two days of meetings in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo, the G7 collectively agreed to increase offshore wind capacity by 150 gigawatts by 2030 and solar capacity to more than 1 terawatt. The aim is to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels and achieve net-zero energy systems by 2050 at the latest.
See also: UK Shows Interest in Japan's Offshore Wind Power Development
While the G7 members pledged to prioritise “concrete and timely steps” towards accelerating the phase-out of “domestic, unabated coal power generation”, they stopped short of endorsing a 2030 deadline for phasing out coal. 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. However, some G7 members are still trying to figure out how they could achieve the same goal within their relevant timeframe.
The G7 acknowledged that there are diverse pathways to achieve carbon neutrality, but agreed on the importance of aiming for a common goal toward 2050. Japanese Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said: “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.”
The G7's push towards renewables was not without controversy. The group left the door open for continued investment in gas, arguing that the sector could help address potential energy shortfalls provoked by the crisis in Ukraine, but only if implemented in a manner consistent with climate objectives.
The G7 also targeted 2040 for reducing additional plastic pollution to zero, bringing the target forward by a decade.
Dave Jones, head of data insights at energy think tank Ember, praised the G7's commitments to solar and wind power, calling them “huge statements to the importance that they will rely on the energy superpowers of solar and wind in order to phase out fossil fuels.” He also challenged Japan to embrace offshore wind, saying it could see the country's power sector decarbonise much quicker than it previously thought possible.
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, Jonathan Wilkinson, highlighted that discussions during the meetings had shown that climate action and action on energy security are not in conflict but actually work together. This highlights the G7's determination to tackle climate change while ensuring energy security for their countries.
