Energy ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies have made a groundbreaking decision to shut down their coal-fired power plants in the first half of the 2030s, marking a significant step towards the transition away from fossil fuels. Italian energy minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin announced the technical agreement, with the final political deal set to be sealed on Tuesday during the G7 ministerial meeting in Turin.
The ministers will issue a final communique outlining the G7 commitments to decarbonize their economies, with discussions also focusing on potential restrictions to Russian imports of liquefied natural gas to Europe. The agreement on coal aligns with the direction set by the COP28 United Nations climate summit last year to phase out fossil fuels, particularly coal, which is the most polluting.
Italy, Germany, and Japan are among the countries with a significant reliance on coal for electricity generation, with plans now in place to transition away from this source of energy. The G7 nations are also considering options such as nuclear energy and biofuels to decarbonize power generation and transportation.
Additionally, there is a push for a six-fold increase in battery capacity by 2030 to store renewable energy efficiently. This move highlights the commitment of G7 countries to embrace sustainable energy sources and reduce their carbon footprint in the fight against climate change.