G7 countries and guests agree to cooperate on climate protection – criticism from associations
In the fight against climate change, the G7 states want to work more intensively on solutions together with their partner countries Argentina, India, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa. The aim is “a clean and just transition to climate neutrality to accelerate while ensuring energy security,” said a statement released on Monday.
Together, options for a “rapid expansion of clean and renewable energy sources and energy efficiency” would be examined.
The participants reaffirmed their commitment to the goal of the Paris climate agreement to keep the temperature rise well below two degrees and to limit it to 1.5 degrees if possible.
However, the phase-out of coal and the expansion of clean and renewable energies must be “socially fair‘ be done, it said. In addition, “general access to affordable and sustainable energy” is also important.
Together should “potential negative impacts are addressed“, the statement continued. The aim must also be to achieve “the creation of new, decent, green jobs” in the field of renewable energies.
Partnerships in the development of infrastructure and investments could also contribute to the goals of an “open and inclusive climate club”. This project by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) provides for an alliance of countries that set themselves ambitious climate goals.
Greenpeace spoke of weak announcements. “There is a lack of binding targets for phasing out fossil fuels in the sense of the 1.5 degree limit, as well as a clear financial framework,” explained the executive director of the German branch of the organization, Martin Kaiser.
The political director of Germanwatch, Christoph Bals, sees potential. “The partnership with India in particular, which should be finalized by next year’s G20 summit, can become extremely relevant.”
Friederike Röder from Global Citizen lamented: “This statement is brimming with vague statements.“You can feel the turmoil in the negotiations. The G7 would have to provide money for such partnerships. (AFP, DPA)