Edurne Morillo
Tokyo, 16 Apr. The G7 energy and environment ministers agreed today to accelerate efforts to phase out the use of coal and other fossil fuels, although there was division over time and methods and, above all, regarding the use of nuclear energy, especially after the German decision to close its last power plants.
“We underscore our commitment, in the context of global efforts, to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels to achieve net-zero emissions energy systems by 2050,” said the joint statement adopted by the ministers at the end of their meeting held in Sapporo (northern Japan).
The document does not accompany this promise with a specific deadline before 2050, as several of the G7 members had claimed, due to the disagreement between some countries, such as the host, whose energy supply depends highly on coal and gas imports. and oil.
The ministers call for diversifying energy supply sources and rapidly developing “clean, safe, sustainable and affordable energy” within the agreed global action framework for 2050 and aimed at limiting the global increase in temperatures to 1.5°C.
DISAGREEMENT ON NUCLEAR POWER
One of the sources of electricity supply proposed by the host is nuclear energy, a reason for disagreement with the rest of the group’s countries, especially Germany, which yesterday disconnected its last reactors.
“Countries that choose to use nuclear power recognize its potential to provide affordable low-carbon energy that can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, to address the climate crisis and ensure global energy security,” says the document signed today.
The text highlights that these countries would commit to “maximizing the use of current reactors in a safe and efficient manner and to the advancement of long-term safe operation”, with Japan being the country that has advocated the most for this point.
Germany, however, disagreed with the matter and its Environment Minister, Steffi Lemke, said at a press conference after the signing of the document that “it is not a secret that the different G7 countries have different opinions regarding energy nuclear”.
Germany yesterday disconnected its last three plants, Isar 2 and Neckar 2, in the south, as well as Emsland, in the center, which marks a final goodbye to this type of energy in the midst of an energy crisis exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Last December, however, Japan decided to extend the life of its nuclear reactors so that they can operate beyond their current limit of 60 years, in a policy shift aimed at reducing CO2 emissions and guaranteeing its power supply.
THE FUKUSHIMA SPILL
Another point in controversy after the conclusion of the meetings in Sapporo is the dumping into the sea of the contaminated and treated water that accumulates in the Fukushima nuclear power plant and that will take place between next spring and summer, despite the opposition of the local fishermen and neighboring countries.
“We have deep respect for the efforts of the Japanese government, but we cannot welcome the release of these waters,” Lemke said today.
The text signed today also refers to this spill and ensures that it will be carried out “in accordance with safety regulations and international law without causing harm to human beings and the environment.”
Greenpeace criticized this decision in a statement today, saying the group of 7 “has chosen policy on science and the protection of the marine environment with its decision today to support the plans of the Japanese government.”
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
The G7 also showed their willingness to work with other countries to reduce their dependence on coal, and set themselves the goal of reducing C02 emissions from all their vehicles by at least 50% by 2035, and from 2000 levels. .
Today’s conclusions have been criticized for being less ambitious than those reached by the group during their meeting in Germany last summer. EFE
emg-ahg/lab
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