The Intelligence from The Economist Promises, promises: the G7’s fuzzy climate pledges
Jun 14, 2021
Katrine Braik, The Economist's environment editor, dives into the G7's ambiguous climate pledges that often fall short on details, especially as the COP26 meeting approaches. Tom Noddle, the Berlin bureau chief, sheds light on Germany's complex reparations deal with Namibia, addressing painful colonial legacies and the contentious nature of this agreement. They also discuss Iranian musicians creatively navigating political hurdles, showcasing their resilience and the evolving streaming landscape.
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G7 Climate Pledges Lack Detail
- The G7 summit pledged vaccine doses and addressed climate change, but the climate commitments lacked detail.
- Campaigners like Oxfam criticized the summit as a failure, setting a concerning precedent for COP26.
Existing Climate Targets Reaffirmed
- The G7's net-zero emissions by mid-century commitment isn't new; these countries already had such targets.
- Their collective emissions reduction target aligns with the Paris Agreement, but specifics on individual nation's contributions are lacking.
Coal Financing Commitment Weakened
- The G7's agreement on coal financing lacks a firm date, falling short of the environment ministers' earlier commitment to end it by 2030.
- Japan's resistance, a significant coal-power funder, likely contributed to the weakened final statement.