“Just empty promises”: climate activists criticize G7 resolutions


“Just empty promises”
Climate activists criticize G7 resolutions

In Cornwall, the G7 are deciding, among other things, to phase out coal power at the earliest possible point in time and to slowly end subsidies for fossil fuels. But according to information from climate protection activists, the G7 countries have invested more in fossil-energy-intensive areas than in clean energies since the beginning of the corona pandemic.

Climate activists are disappointed with the plans of the rich industrial nations in the fight against global warming. Without a time limit, the resolutions of the G7 summit in Cornwall, England, are “just empty promises,” said Catherine Pettengell of the Climate Action Network.

“The G7 heads of state and government are still not translating their words into action,” said Pettengell. Investments in coal should end immediately. The G7 states would also have to keep the promise made earlier and this time only reaffirmed to want to provide the developing countries with 100 billion US dollars a year. The aim is for poorer countries to expand their climate protection and make themselves more resistant to effects such as extreme weather conditions.

According to Oxfam, climate aid has so far only reached 39 billion US dollars, of which Germany contributed 6.8 billion euros two years ago. Jan Kowalzig from Oxfam said that the commitment to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2010 is “not a new announcement”, but only a confirmation of the current goals under the Paris climate agreement. “The G7 countries are still not making their fair contribution to global climate protection.”

British government is satisfied

Kowalzig described the promise, made several times in the past, to let the subsidies for fossil energy expire, as a “good development”. However, exceptions are permitted. “We have to look at the concrete implementation.” According to the organization Tearfund, the G7 countries have invested more in fossil-energy-intensive areas than in clean energies since the beginning of the corona pandemic.

The British government, on the other hand, welcomed the G7’s commitment to climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest. Climate neutrality means that no carbon dioxide is emitted or that the CO2 emissions are fully offset. The Paris climate agreement wants to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. But the earth has already heated up by around 1.2 degrees compared to pre-industrial times. The fatal consequences: Depending on the region, there are more heat waves and droughts as well as heavy rain, storms, storms and floods.

In addition to Great Britain and the USA, the G7 countries also include Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Canada. EU representatives also take part in the meeting in Cornwall.

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