G7 ministers call to end reliance on Russian energy, phase out coal power

Berlin, May 27 (EFE).- G7 ministers called on Friday to end dependency on Russian energy supplies and pledged to decarbonise and phase out coal power energy in a bid to counter the climate crisis.

In a statement drafted after a three day meeting in Berlin between environment ministers from the seven richest economies, the group said it was especially urgent for the European Union to end its reliance on Russian energy due to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

G7 ministers highlighted the importance of increasing the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to mitigate potential gas supply disruptions by land and that significant progress in this regard was being made.

Climate and environment ministers also pledged to redouble efforts to hit 2030 climate goals and adhere to the Paris Agreement.

The group said CO2 emissions had to be reduced by 48% by 2030 and 80% by 2050 compared to 2019 levels.

The G7 also committed for the first time to end direct international state financing of fossil energy sources by the end of 2022. EFE

cph/mp/jt