HIROSHIMA, Japan — On paper, the world’s largest industrialized democracies have agreed to stop using fossil fuels in just over a quarter of a century and switching to new energy sources, such as solar and wind, as soon as possible.
But when the leaders of the group of seven met this week in Hiroshima, Japan for their annual meeting, some countries were discussing whether relax commitments phase out the use of carbon-emitting fuels, such as gas and coal, in time to avoid the worst effects of global warming.
The final communiqué of the meeting, released on Saturday afternoon, contained the terms Japan requested that would allow it to continue investing in some types of coal-fired power plants that the Japanese government is helping to finance. But leaders only changed the terms of last year’s meeting that approved some new investments in natural gas infrastructure.
Germany, The country that lobbied for its approval in 2022 when it sought to replace Russian gas imports in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine had sought to extend terms this year.
The behind-the-scenes battle highlighted the political, economic and practical challenges faced by many G7 countries as they seek to streamline the energy transition globally with trillions of dollars in government incentives.
Affected by the invasion of Ukraine, European countries are scrambling to secure sources of natural gas to keep the lights on.
At the same time, countries like Japan, and to some extent even the United States, are trying to protect their old investments in the fossil fuel industry, both at home and abroad.
The United States and its allies have moved quickly over the past year to encourage investment in solar and wind energy, electric vehicle technology, technology to support energy efficiency, and other measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. and slow the rise in global temperature.
At the same time, they have taken what the authorities call interim but essential measures to keep fossil fuels in world markets, both to avert an energy crisis in Europe and to maintain fuel prices around the world.
Such efforts include the move to cap the price of Russian oil, which was hailed as a success at this weekend’s meetings.
This cap actually allows for that Russia continue to export oil, but with discounts; Keeping its crude in the markets has helped maintain gasoline prices globally.
tensions
But tensions have flared over efforts by some countries to block their access to fossil fuels for decades to come.
Concerned about securing enough energy to boost its economy, the German government lobbied Hiroshima to relax on goals released by leaders last year, just months after the war began, according to three people briefed on Russia’s talks in Ukraine.
The 2022 declaration supported public investment in gas, but only in “exceptional circumstances” and as an “interim response” to free countries from dependence on Russian energy companies.
According to the statement, no expansion should take countries away from their commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The 2023 declaration repeated those goals and didn’t go much further.
“It is necessary to accelerate the gradual reduction of our dependence on Russian energy, for example by saving energy and reducing gas demand, in a way compatible with the Paris commitments,” he said, referring to the iconic Paris climate agreement, ” and to address the global impact of the war in Russia on energy supplies, gas prices and inflation, and on people’s lives, recognizing the critical need to accelerate the transition towards clean energy”.
The United Kingdom and France have spoken out against Germany’s initiative.
The Biden administration has found itself caught between defending the president’s ambitious climate change agenda and supporting American allies’ goal of increasing its access to fossil fuels.
The sudden promotion of these fuels has alarmed environmentalists, who have stressed that supporting public investment in gas is not compatible with the commitments made by countries in GlasgowScotland, by 2021 to keep global temperature rise 1.5 degrees Celsius, or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit, above pre-industrial levels.
“The G7 must be clear on how it intends to maintain the 1.5 degree Celsius limit and promote the clean energy shift globally,” said Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland.
“This is the moment. The climate crisis is haunting us.”
He UK and France They argue that the immediate energy crisis is over and that Europe avoided a possible energy shortage this winter.
Germany has built its first liquefied natural gas terminal and plans to build more.
Japan it also has an interest in the further development of natural gas.
According to environmentalists, during a meeting of G7 environment ministers in Sapporo, Japan last month, Japanese representatives lobbied for the group to support more investment in the development of gas fields in Asia.
A Japanese Foreign Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Japan, which depends on energy imports, needed natural gas for its energy security and also wanted to help other countries use liquefied natural gas as away for the transition from coal.
Kaname Ogawa, director of the energy infrastructure division at the economy, trade and industry ministry, said Japan was generally committed to reducing its use of natural gas, but had requested new contracts to import natural gas. gas while others had already expired.
Liquefied natural gas accounts for more than a third of Japan’s energy production, and about 10% of that gas comes from Russia.
Japan He lobbied hard at the Sapporo meeting to prevent environment ministers from engaging the G7 in a serious debate on phasing out the use of coal.
Unlike other countries in the group, Japan, which extracts about 30 percent of its energy from coal, has refused to sign on to reduce it to zero by 2030.
“Our electrical structure differs significantly from that of other countries,” Ogawa said.
“We will introduce renewable energies and increase non-fossil fuels as much as possible, but at the same time, to maintain our electricity safety, tWe have to keep using coal.”
In an “action plan for a clean energy economy” released on Saturday, the group of 7 acknowledged that “there are various paths depending on the energy situation, social and industrial structures and geographical conditions of each country” .
A senior US official noted that the Biden administration insisted on “not backing down on the fight against climate change” in terms of gas investments.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that public funding for gas infrastructure should only be allowed under “certain circumstances” and should remain consistent with countries’ plans to stop releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere sooner. of 2050.
c.2023 The New York Times Society
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.