Canada tried to set an example during negotiations between the various G7 countries on issues related to energy security, during a meeting held under the prism of the war in Ukraine.
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The ministers responsible for climate, energy and the environment from these countries met at a summit in Berlin that ended on Friday with the publication of commitments that “go further” than those of the last year, according to Minister Steven Guilbeault.
“It is really encouraging to hear our counterparts agree that energy security and the fight against climate change are mutually reinforcing objectives,” said the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, during a press briefing.
In key advancements, the Minister noted the phasing out of coal-fired electricity generation and the decarbonization of electricity grids by 2035, initiatives that have already been initiated in Canada.
A regular topic in Canada, international funding for fossil fuel projects is expected to occur by the end of 2022 and domestic grants by 2025.
While Canada has promised to achieve this goal in 2023, not all countries have followed suit.
"Canada has strongly supported the elimination of international fossil fuel financing by the end of this year," Guilbeault said.
“[But] some countries need more time before putting in place transitional measures.”
The conflict in Ukraine was also a major concern, with Canada pledging to help European countries reduce their dependence on Russian energy by importing hydrogen.
“The provoked and unjustifiable Russian invasion of Ukraine has fundamentally changed the global energy landscape. Canada is determined to help its allies reduce their dependence on Russia,” said Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, also present at the summit.
These issues will be addressed again at the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement Clean Technology Summit, COP15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity and COP27 of the United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held during of the next few months.
“We cannot sacrifice the fight against climate change in the name of energy security,” argued Minister Guilbeault.
