G7 Climate and Energy Ministers Summit 2023, Committed to Work for Carbon-free electricity production by 2035

The Climate and Energy Ministers and envoys representing G-7 nations pledged to aim for the production of electricity free from carbon by 2035. G7 Climate and Energy Ministers Summit discussed below.

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G7 Climate and Energy Ministers Summit: G7 Environment Ministers’ Summit was held as part of G7 Summit 2023. G7 Climate and Energy Ministers Summit is also important for UPSC Prelims Exam 2023 and UPSC Mains Exam (GS Paper 2- International Groupings and various issues impacting/affecting India and it’s interests; GS Paper 3- Environment and Ecology).

G7 Climate and Energy Ministers Meeting in News

Recently, G7 Climate and Energy ministers concluded two days of meetings on climate, energy and environmental policy in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo.

G7 Climate and Energy Ministers Meeting 2023 was held to set the tone for upcoming G7 Summit 2023 in Hiroshima this May.
Indian Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav had also participated in the G7 Climate and Energy Ministers summit with India being invited as a ‘guest’, in the context of its presidency of the G-20.

G7 Climate and Energy Ministers Meeting 2023 Outcomes

Key Outcomes of the G7 Climate and Energy Ministers Summit 2023 is discussed below-

Carbon Free Electricity by 2035: The Climate and Energy Ministers and envoys representing G-7 nations pledged to aim for the production of electricity free from carbon by 2035 and hasten the process of phasing out coal.
- The suggestion of setting a deadline of 2030 to eliminate coal was rejected, and instead, the final text allowed for the possibility of investing in gas as a temporary solution to address energy shortages.
Investment in Solar and Wind Energy: As part of their agreements, the attendees also committed to speeding up investments in solar and wind energy to achieve a target of 1,000 GW of solar power and 150 GW of off-shore wind power by 2030.
In line with IPCC Report: The G7 nations are of the opinion that achieving these targets would align with the recent reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
- Recent IPCC Report 2023 have emphasized the urgency of limiting the global temperature rise to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the close of the century.
Achieving Net Zero in Energy Systems: They agreed to accelerate “the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels”- the burning of fossil fuels without using technology to capture the resulting C02 emissions- to achieve net zero in energy systems by 2050 at the latest.
Reducing Plastic Pollution: The attendees set a goal of achieving zero additional plastic pollution by 2040, thereby advancing the target by ten years.

About G7 Summit

G7 Grouping is an informal bloc of advanced/developed/industrialized nations. G7 Countries meets annually to discuss matters such as global economic policy, international security, and energy policy, among others.

History of G7 Grouping

1975: France hosted a summit which brought together representatives of six governments (G6): France, West Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
1976: Canada joined the G6 countries in 1976. So it was started being called as G7.
1998: Russia was officially invited to join the grouping in the 1998 summit. Henceforth, it was called G8 grouping.
2014: Following the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, the group removed Russia from its membership. Since then it is called G7 grouping.

G7 Member Countries

Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States are currently the member of G7 grouping.

Representatives of the European Union are always present at the annual meeting of the heads of state and government of the G7.

G7 Presidency

G7 Presidency rotates annually among its members. Germany held the presidency of G7 Summit 2022. Presently, G7 Presidency 2023 is held by Japan. Country that holds G7 presidency, have right to invite guest country at G7 Summit.

Digital Trade Principles by G7

Digital Trade Principles by G7

FAQs

What is the G7?

The G7, or Group of Seven, is an international organization consisting of seven of the world's wealthiest and most advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

When was the G7 established?

The G7 was established in 1975 as an informal gathering of leaders from the world's most industrialized nations.

What is the purpose of the G7?

The G7 was originally established to provide a forum for world leaders to discuss economic issues of mutual concern, but its agenda has since expanded to include a wide range of global issues, such as climate change, international security, and global health.

How are countries chosen to participate in the G7?

Membership in the G7 is based on a combination of economic power, political influence, and strategic importance.

Are there any other countries or organizations that participate in the G7?

Yes, there are several other countries and organizations that are invited to attend G7 meetings as guests or observers, such as the European Union, India, and Australia.