Coal news and updates

G7: Germany urges leading role in coal phaseout

The climate talks in Berlin are focusing not only on the war in Ukraine and Russian energy, but also how the G7 nations can take a lead on the phasing out of coal.

German Economy and Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck talks with workers at a German oil refinery earlier this month

Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck told officials at the G7 talks in Berlin that there was still an opportunity to phase out coal and fossil fuels and accelerate the transition to green energy.

G7 energy, climate and environment ministers are gathered in Berlin for talks on how to keep climate goals on track with Russia's war on Ukraine raging, and energy and food prices spiking worldwide as a result, potentially leading to upheaval and instability that could derail the effort to reach climate targets.

Some countries have even discussed returning to coal to avoid Russian fossil fuels.

What will come of the G7 climate talks?

A draft communique sees the G7 ministers commit to a phaseout of coal by 2030, Reuters reports. Some at the talks anticipated opposition from Japan and the US, however.

Another matter for discussion is an effort toward a net zero electricity sector by 2035 and a reporting commitment starting next year for how each G7 country plans to phase out inefficient fossil fuel industry subsidies after 2025.