SAPPORO: G7 allies met Saturday for two days of"difficult" climate talks in northern Japan, facing pressure to show progress on key fossil fuel commitments in an example to other major economies including China.
"All in, given low expectations, it now seems a better outcome than many expected," said Ed King from the climate-oriented communications firm GSCC. A French government source earlier described"difficult" discussions, but the country's energy transition minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher painted a brighter picture of Saturday's talks.
Experts say this language is aimed at China, the world's largest carbon emitter, which is targeting a peak in its carbon emissions by 2030. But this was watered down a month later when G7 leaders said the"exceptional circumstances" of Russia's war in Ukraine made gas investments"appropriate as a temporary response".
The draft statement simply notes that"some countries are exploring" the potential of the two fuels in the journey to net-zero emissions, adding that this should be"aligned with a 1.5C pathway".