G7 ministers agree 2035 coal exit, sextupled energy storage and ‘water coalition’

(EurActiv, 30 Apr 2024) In Italy on Tuesday (30 April), G7 ministers agreed a coal phase out in the first half of the 2030s, set their first-ever energy storage target, began difficult negotiations on climate finance past 2025 and started a water coalition.

The G7 countries account for 30% of global GDP and 21% of CO2 emissions, and count three nuclear powers amongst their numbers. After drawn-out negotiations, the alliance has embraced a coal phase out.

“This means that the G7 are all on the path to climate neutrality by 2050,” said Germany’s economy and climate action minister, Robert Habeck.

This year around, the annual jamboree of G7 energy, climate and environment ministers took place in Turin, a picturesque baroque city in the west of Italy’s industrial heartland.

Previous efforts to commit the entire group to phasing out coal had met stern resistance in the US and Japan. Today, they agreed to phase out coal “during the first half of the 2030s,” as per their joint statement after the meeting. 

Two caveats remain: the agreement speaks of ‘unabated’ coal power – which would exclude plants equipped with carbon sequestration set-ups – and the date can be avoided provided the move is “in line with countries’ net-zero pathways.” 

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EurActiv, 30 Apr 2024: G7 ministers agree 2035 coal exit, sextupled energy storage and ‘water coalition’