G7 Vows to Drop Fossil Fuels Faster, But Activists Unimpressed

TEMPO.CO, Borgo Egnazia - Leaders of the Group of Seven developed democracies will commit to accelerating their transition away from fossil fuels during this decade, according to a draft of a statement to be issued at the end of their summit in Italy.

"We will transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just, orderly, and equitable manner, accelerating actions in this critical decade, to achieve net-zero by 2050 in keeping with the best available science," said the draft seen by Reuters.

The document includes a pledge "to phase out existing unabated coal power generation in our energy systems during the first half of the 2030s", as agreed by G7 energy ministers in April.

But it also allows an alternative commitment of phasing out coal-fired power plants "in a timeline consistent with keeping a limit of a 1.5°C temperature rise within reach, in line with countries' net-zero pathways", offering leeway to Germany and Japan, whose economies are still dependent on the fuel.

Climate activists were critical, saying the summit had produced a lack of concrete commitments and most pledges had already been agreed at previous lower-level meetings.

"At a time when the world needed bold leadership from them, the leaders' meeting added no value," said Friederike Roder, Vice President of Global Citizen.

With the COP29 United Nations climate conference due to start in November, the leaders of the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Britain and Italy said they would submit "more ambitious" national climate plans, according to the draft.

The document commits to a collective effort to reduce methane emissions from fossil fuels, including from oil and gas operations, by 75% by 2030.

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