Fossil fuel use could decline as soon as next year, but G7 proposals risk slowing the green transition.
Sapporo, and Sapporo, and Sapporo… as Shakespeare might have said about events in Japan this week. The leaders of the G7 made ambitious promises last year, vowing to achieve a “fully or predominantly decarbonised power sector by 2035.” Yet, as the energy and environment ministers prepare to meet in Sapporo, there are growing concerns that these commitments may not be upheld. The risk of slowing down the green transition is becoming more evident.
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan, in his role as host, seems to be stretching the meaning of “predominantly” in the group’s climate pledge. The latest draft of the proposed agreement, for instance, includes approval for continued investment in new natural gas projects. This comes despite strong warnings from the International Energy Agency (IEA) that the development of new oil and gas should cease if the world is to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
Kishida’s stance is not limited to natural gas. He is also pushing for increased public financing for technologies that could sustain fossil fuel usage in Asia, such as “co-firing” coal power plants with hydrogen and ammonia. These technologies may reduce emissions somewhat, but they are still not clean enough to meet the urgent global needs of decarbonisation. Public funding for such efforts would directly contradict the G7’s commitment to halt new public support for unabated fossil fuel projects.
One of the justifications for weakening decarbonisation targets is energy security. The war in Ukraine has triggered a reevaluation of energy policies, with countries seeking alternatives to Russian energy supplies. However, climate stability remains critical to the future of the planet, and compromising on decarbonisation could have far-reaching consequences for all nations.
The push for “co-firing” and similar technologies has raised red flags among climate experts. According to the think tank E3G, these methods are short-term fixes that distract from the adoption of viable zero-emissions technologies. Alden Meyer, a senior associate at E3G, emphasized that while world leaders are warning about the climate crisis, their actions must match their words. If the G7 does not lead by example, it risks undermining its credibility and inspiring little confidence globally.
What happens in Japan over the coming days will determine whether the G7 remains a climate leader or falters in its commitment to sustainable energy. The stakes are high, and the decisions made here could significantly impact the global response to climate change.
For the sake of the planet’s future, the G7 must honor its pledges and focus on solutions that can truly lead to a decarbonised world. The window of opportunity is closing, and the longer the group hesitates, the more difficult it will be to achieve meaningful change. The leadership displayed in Japan will send a clear message to the rest of the world: are they ready to act, or will they continue to sidestep the hard choices?
