During their meeting in Turin, Italy, G7 member countries set a date for a total phase out of coal power.
G7 countries agreed on a final date to phase out coal power, largely considered the most polluting source of energy in existence. The G7 group represents the world’s most advanced economies: the United States, Japan, Germany, Canada, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom.
Meeting in Turin, Italy, the G7 energy ministers agreed to phase out coal power by 2035. A historic agreement, as a UK minister at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero told CNBC. The minister highlighted that the decision on this deal could not be made at Dubai’s COP28. At the time, members collectively agreed to transition away from fossil fuels but did not set a specific date.
Most of the G7 countries are already phasing out coal power because of individual commitments. Italy produced only 4.7% of its electricity with coal power in 2023. The United Kingdom, which started the Industrial Revolution with its massive coal reserves, is also phasing out this energy source.
Other G7 members currently phasing out from coal power include France and Canada.
G7 members are often at the forefront of green policy innovation. Their agreements usually trickle down to the G20 meeting, where large polluters like China and India also take part.
Coal consumers
Other G7 member countries, however, are not so virtuous. Germany and Japan, in particular, still heavily rely on coal power.
Germany in particular fired up new coal power plants in recent years after phasing out nuclear energy. Coal power made up over 25% of Germany’s energy production in 2023.
Japan too heavily relies on fossil fuels to power its industries, with coal making up 36% of last year’s energy production. Japan also decreased its dependence on nuclear power after the Fukushima disaster in 2011, though it decided against a total phase-out.
The elephant in the room in Turin was, however, the United States. The US is the world’s largest polluter, with a large share of its energy production still powered by fossil fuels. In 2023, the United States became the world’s largest oil producer, with coal still making up 18% of its energy production.
Germany, Japan, and the US all agreeing to phase out coal in slightly over 10 years is therefore a major commitment.
Italy’s energy minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin said this is a technical deal, with the final provision being announced on Tuesday. The minister added that nuclear power and biofuels will also be discussed.
