Berlin, May 26 (BNA) The German Minister of Energy and Climate said, Thursday, that the Group of Seven rich countries could lead the way to ending the use of coal, a highly polluting fossil fuel responsible for a large part of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Senior officials from the Group of Seven nations are holding a three-day meeting in Berlin during which they will seek to agree on common goals for the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy that scientists say is urgently needed to curb climate change.
German Energy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck said: “Maybe the G7 (…) can take a certain leadership role to move forward in ending the use of coal for electricity and in decarbonizing the transportation system.”
Habeck said the issue could be referred to a summit of Group of Seven leaders in Elmau, Germany next month, and then to a meeting of the Group of 20 major and emerging economies later this year.
Persuading G20 countries to sign on to the ambitious goals set by some of the more advanced economies will be key, as countries such as China, India and Indonesia still rely heavily on coal.
The meeting in Berlin will also seek agreements on increasing financial aid to poor countries to deal with climate change, providing additional funds for biodiversity, protecting the oceans and reducing plastic pollution.
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