G7 countries reach “historic” agreement on closing coal-fired power stations by 2035

The G7 countries have reached an agreement to close coal-fired power stations in “the first half of the next decade”. British Energy Minister Andrew Bowie confirmed this to American media in Turin, where the industrial superpowers the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy and France are meeting for two days. Bowie called the agreement “historic”.

The meeting of the G7 is the first major political session since the world promised during the COP28 climate conference in December to eventually move away from coal, oil and gas. Belgium has no longer used coal since the closure of the Langerlo power station in 2016.

The G7 is also expected to commit to reducing plastic production to tackle global pollution. “The G7 recognizes for the first time that the level of plastic pollution is unsustainable and that its increase is alarming,” the French Ministry of Ecological Transition said.

The final statement from the G7 ministers is expected on Tuesday.

The summit also drew hundreds of protesters to Turin, who accuse G7 leaders of abandoning future generations. The climate demonstrators want to know how the energy and environment ministers plan to fulfill their promises. For example, it was agreed at the climate summit in Dubai to double energy efficiency and triple the capacity for renewable energy by 2030.