G7 nations commit to boosting adoption of solar and wind power
The G7 have pledged to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and reduce its cost. The commitment was made by ministers during a meeting held on the 16th of April, 2023.
The ministers promised to increase the usage of solar and wind power, aiming to elevate the solar power capacity to over 1 terawatt and augment the offshore wind capacity by 150 gigawatts by 2030. The commitment to prioritize renewable energy is a significant step towards addressing the global climate crisis and transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Although the G7 did not specify a definite schedule for the phase-out of fossil fuels, their pledge to prioritize renewable energy signals that renewables are the future of energy.
The commitment to reducing plastic pollution is also noteworthy, with a target date of 2040 set for reducing additional plastic pollution to zero, bringing the target forward by a decade.
The agreement reflects the G7’s recognition of the importance of tackling multiple environmental challenges simultaneously. Japanese industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura stated that “in the midst of an unprecedented energy crisis, it’s important to come up with measures to tackle climate change and promote energy security at the same time.”