The G7, a group of seven major advanced economies consisting of the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, has recently made headlines for its ambitious renewable energy targets. The EU is a guest at all meetings and is jointly represented by the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the need for energy security and renewable fuel sources has grown more urgent.
Dates: April 15 – April 16, 2023
Venue: Sapporo City, Hokkaido
Sapporo Prince Hotel
Participating Countries and Organizations
G7 Member Countries:
Japan (G7 Presidency), Canada, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States
Guest Countries:
India (G20 Presidency), Indonesia (ASEAN Presidency), UAE (COP28 Presidency)
Guest Organizations:
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
International Energy Agency (IEA)
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
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G7 Climate, Energy and Environment Ministers’ Communiqué
Following two days of discussions in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo, representatives from the G7 countries, which are responsible for 25% of global carbon emissions, laid out their promises in a 36-page communiqué.
In a recent meeting, the G7 leaders agreed and announced to collectively raise solar capacity to more than 1 terawatt (TW) and offshore wind capacity by 150 gigawatts by 2030 in their communique.
According to the G7 leaders’ joint statement, they aim to “collectively achieve an additional 1 TW of installed clean energy capacity in electricity production, of which a significant proportion is expected to be solar.” This ambitious goal could accelerate the global shift towards renewable energy and contribute to mitigating climate change. Solar energy is considered a clean and abundant source of power that can be harnessed without producing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. It has the potential to provide electricity to millions of people around the world, especially in developing countries where access to electricity is limited.
The G7’s focus on solar power is a positive step towards addressing climate change and transitioning to a more sustainable energy future. Solar energy has been gaining momentum in recent years, with significant technological advancements and declining costs of solar panels. Many countries have already set ambitious solar energy targets, and the G7’s commitment further reinforces the global momentum towards solar power.
The meeting, however, was unable to reach a consensus on a timeline for the phase-out of coal, which the Japanese government is opposed to and has been demanded by a number of European delegates, energy experts, and nonprofit organisations in Japan and abroad as a means of achieving midcentury net zero carbon emissions goals.
In regard to plastic pollution, they pushed the target forwards by ten years, aiming to eliminate all new plastic pollution by 2040.
The criticisms
Critics argue that the G7’s commitment to solar energy alone is not enough to address the urgent need for coal phaseout and gas reduction. While solar power is a clean and renewable source of energy, coal and gas continue to be major contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. Burning coal for electricity production is one of the leading causes of carbon dioxide emissions, which is a major driver of climate change. Similarly, natural gas, while considered cleaner than coal, still emits greenhouse gases when burned for energy.
The G7’s commitment to achieving an additional terawatt of solar energy by 2030 is a positive step towards renewable energy adoption and mitigating climate change. Solar power has significant potential to provide clean and abundant energy to millions of people around the world. However, critics argue that the G7 needs to address the urgent need for coal phaseout and gas reduction. The lack of specific details and timelines, as well as the absence of key coal-consuming and gas-producing nations from the G7, raises concerns about the effectiveness of the commitment to driving meaningful change.
The G7 must go beyond solar power and take a holistic approach to achieve a comprehensive and impactful transition to renewable energy. This includes setting clear targets for coal phaseout and gas reduction, investing in a diverse mix of renewable energy sources, and promoting energy efficiency measures.
While the G7’s commitment to an additional terawatt of solar energy is a step in the right direction, it falls short of addressing the urgent need for coal phaseout and gas reduction. A comprehensive approach that includes clear targets, diverse renewable energy sources, transparent reporting, and support for developing countries is necessary to achieve meaningful change. The G7 must take bold and decisive actions to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, tackle climate change, and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Source&Images: Ministry of the Environment-Government of Japan (G7 Mininters’ Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment in Sapporo), Reuters, Japan Times, Commodity Insights Gas Twitter @SPGCIGas
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