The Group of Seven (G7) nations reached a significant climate agreement this week, committing to end the use of “unabated” coal by 2035. This marks a pivotal moment in global climate negotiations, as the G7 represents some of the world’s largest economies. However, the agreement comes with important exceptions that allow certain countries to extend the deadline under specific conditions.
According to a communiqué released after talks in Turin, Italy, the G7 countries agreed to phase out the use of unabated coal power during the first half of the 2030s. The term “unabated” refers to coal power that isn’t paired with carbon capture technologies. This distinction is important because it allows countries to continue using coal past the 2035 target, as long as the carbon emissions from the coal are captured before entering the atmosphere. The agreement also permits countries to extend the deadline if their carbon emissions are aligned with keeping global temperatures within a 1.5°C rise above pre-industrial levels. This clause is based on the global goal to limit climate change and prevent irreversible damage to ecosystems.
Some G7 members have already made significant progress toward reducing coal use. Countries like the UK, Italy, and Canada have reduced coal’s share in their electricity mix to less than 6%, with France using almost none. However, coal still accounts for a substantial portion of energy production in Japan (32%), Germany (27%), and the US (16%), according to the think tank Ember. This new agreement places pressure on countries like Japan, which has not yet set a definitive end date for coal use.
The announcement comes just days after the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced new regulations requiring coal-fired power plants to either capture nearly all their carbon emissions or shut down by 2039. These moves are part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change.
Despite the positive aspects of the G7’s agreement, some experts have criticized the 2035 deadline as too late to meet the 1.5°C target. Climate Analytics, a leading think tank, argues that coal use in G7 nations should end by 2030, with natural gas use following by 2035, to prevent dangerous climate impacts. The group also pointed out that gas has been the largest contributor to the rise in global CO2 emissions in the past decade, and many G7 countries are still investing in new gas infrastructure, which could undermine efforts to curb global warming.
Though the 2035 deadline is seen as a step in the right direction, the agreement leaves room for some flexibility, allowing individual countries to adjust their timelines based on their specific circumstances. Critics argue that this flexibility could undermine the urgency needed to address the climate crisis. They advocate for a faster transition to renewable energy sources and a more ambitious approach to reducing fossil fuel dependency.
The G7’s leadership in climate policy often sets the tone for global negotiations, influencing other major emitters like China and India. However, while the G7’s move to phase out coal is a breakthrough, experts believe the global community must accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels to avoid catastrophic climate impacts.
