The G7 agreed on Friday to achieve "predominantly decarbonized" electricity sectors by 2035, a goal that experts say is a major step in helping the world avert catastrophic climate change.
The G7 nations made the new pledge in a 40-page communiqué, in which it also reaffirmed an end to fossil fuel subsidies by the end of this year.
The decision does, however, leave countries open to continue using fossil fuels if their greenhouse gases are "captured." Current technology cannot capture 100% of greenhouse gases emitted by the burning of fossil fuels.
The G7 includes the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, as well as the European Union. Their decisions on energy and climate are often pitched to the wider G20 group, which together produce 80% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. The G20 will meet in Bali in November.
German Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck told a press conference Friday that the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere means the world cannot contain global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This is the temperature rise threshold that scientists say is necessary to avoid worsening climate change and pushing crucial ecosystems to tipping points.
