G7 Summit in Cornwall: More money for climate protection in poorer countries

On the last day of the G7 summit, today will focus on climate policy. According to the British government, $ 100 billion a year is to be invested in climate protection. Critics say: That’s not enough.

According to London, leading Western economic powers want to raise $ 100 billion a year to fund climate protection in developing countries. The British government announced on Sunday night that the commitment would be made at the end of the G7 summit in the English district of Cornwall.

Great Britain wants to dedicate the G7 to ambitious climate goals using the summit in Cornwall. The UN General Assembly was held in Glasgow, Scotland in November. These must be recognized globally at the climate conference. In addition to Great Britain and the United States, the G7 countries include Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Canada.

At the conference, for the first time, all seven participating countries have made a commitment to climate neutrality by 2050. In addition, we can expect a commitment to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2010.

UN This is an important step on the way to a climate conference. This includes stopping coal-fired power at the earliest possible point, an end to all direct government subsidies for fossil fuels abroad, and the phasing out of cars with internal combustion engines.

Critics call for more commitment

The development organization criticized Oxfam’s goals as inadequate. Paris climate goals can thus be achieved, but the G7 says “in view of their great responsibility for causing the climate crisis and their prosperity globally they need to reduce significantly and more rapidly to create greater flexibility in climate-friendly change for poorer countries,” said J கலrn Kalinsky from Oxfam.

Catherine Bettenkel of the Climate Action Network also criticized the plans. Without time constraints, these are “empty promises”. Heads of state and heads of government have not yet followed their word by deeds. Coal investments should end immediately. The G7 countries must also keep their previous promise, and this time reaffirmed their desire to provide $ 100 billion a year to developing countries.

This will enable poorer countries to expand their climate protection and make themselves more resistant to the effects of extreme weather. According to Oxfam, climate aid has so far reached only $ 39 billion.

“G7 has not yet made a fair contribution”

John Kowalsik from Oxfam said the commitment to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2010 was “not a new announcement” but only to confirm current goals under the Paris Climate Agreement. “The G7 countries have not yet made their fair contribution to global climate protection.”

According to the Dearfund, the G7 nations have invested more in fossil-energy-intensive areas than clean energy since the onset of the corona epidemic.

The Paris Climate Agreement seeks to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. But the Earth is already 1.2 degrees warmer compared to pre-industrial times. Hazardous effects: Depending on the region, there are high heat waves and droughts and heavy rainfall, storms, hurricanes and floods.