The G7 countries agree to phase out coal power

G7 members agree to phase out coal-fired power plants by the mid-2030s. The decision was made by the countries’ energy and climate ministers at a meeting in Turin, Italy.

The agreement applies to facilities that cannot capture and store carbon dioxide emissions. As for the timeline, there is little wiggle room, the coal power plants must be decommissioned by the mid-2030s or “in accordance with the timetable to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius”, the meeting’s final statement says.

The letter also urges those countries that are able to contribute to the financing of climate initiatives. An ambition to reduce global plastic production is also mentioned in the final statement.

The G7 is an informal grouping of the world’s largest industrialized economies. The G7 includes France, Italy, Japan, Canada, Great Britain, Germany and the United States. The European Union is also represented at the meetings.