At the meeting of energy ministers from the G7 group of countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom and United States) in Rome on 9 and 10 April, Energy and Climate Action Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete re-affirmed the EU’s commitment on the international climate agreement concluded in Paris in 2015 and on the energy transition and clean energy.
“The G7 energy ministerial has been a useful opportunity to discuss key pressing energy challenges and opportunities amongst like-minded economies. Consensus was reached on a number of issues such our continued efforts to support energy security in Ukraine, innovative energy technologies, and the importance of addressing cybersecurity in the energy sector”, Cañete said after the meeting.
He was pleased that all the others, with the exception of the United States, which informed the meeting that it is currently reviewing its energy and climate policies, “joined the EU in reaffirming our solid commitment and determination to implement the Paris Agreement and continue the clean energy transition”.
“We see climate action and the clean energy transition for what it is: a driver of jobs and economic growth, a moral imperative and a promise for a better future. Europe will continue to work with all its partners to reap all the benefits of the clean energy transition in line with the objectives of the historic Paris agreement”, the commissioner said.
G7 awaiting Trump administration’s position on climate. Because of US reservations on climate change, the G7 energy ministers were unable to come to agreement on a joint statement on climate (see EUROPE 11765).
Secretary of State Perry “informed fellow Ministers and Commissioner that the United States is in the process of reviewing many of its (energy and climate) policies and reserves its position on this issue, which will be communicated at a future date”, says a statement by Italian Economic Development Minister Carlo Calenda, who chaired the meeting.
“The other Heads of Delegation reaffirmed their commitment towards the implementation of the Paris Agreement (...), encouraged all Parties to ratify the agreement and reaffirmed their commitment to accelerate the decarbonisation of the energy sector”, the statement continues.
All the ministers recognised the “key role” of the energy transition through the development of new market-based clean energy technologies and through non-market-distortive support measures, the communiqué adds.
Ministers welcomed the housing of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) within the International Energy Agency (IEA), as well as the increased efforts of the IEA in fostering international energy efficiency collaboration.
They also stressed that continued investment in the energy sector, in particular in quality energy infrastructure, in upstream development, in low emissions and in low carbon technologies and in energy efficiency, remains “critically important” for ensuring future energy security and mitigating risks to sustainable growth of the global economy, the statement goes on to say.
Ministers took note of the significant progress achieved since 2014 in strengthening energy security in the context of sustainability and growth, the text states. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)