The international collective known as the Group of Seven (G7) has been pivotal in advocating for global climate and energy solutions. Recently, the G7’s Climate and Energy Ministers and envoys have pledged to ensure carbon-free electricity production by 2035. This agreement was established in Sapporo, Japan, ahead of the highly anticipated G7 summit in Hiroshima in May 2023. In a show of inclusiveness, India was invited as a ‘guest’ in light of its current G20 presidency.
Details Surrounding the Agreement
While being conscious of the ongoing global energy crisis and economic disruptions, the G7 nations agreed to speed up the clean energy transition to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Acknowledging climate science, they plan to cut GHG emissions by around 43% by 2030 and 60% by 2035. A significant part of this plan involves increasing investments in solar and wind energy to produce 1,000 gigawatts of solar power and 150 gigawatts of wind power from off-shore platforms by 2030.
Understanding the G7
The G7 refers to a group of seven major advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This group is often recognised as a platform for fostering economic cooperation among the world’s largest economies. The G7 represents 40% of the world’s economic activity. Its decisions significantly impact global trade policies, regulations and international institutions such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
Criticisms Levelled Against the G7
Although it wields significant influence, the G7 also faces some criticism. These countries are responsible for approximately a quarter of global carbon emissions, highlighting their significant role in driving climate change. Critics also decry the G7’s exclusivity and perceived lack of representation, excluding economic powerhouses such as India and China from its ranks.
India’s Response to The Carbon-Free Electricity Movement
India has adopted several initiatives to embrace carbon-free electricity. Notable among these is the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA) aimed at providing reliable and affordable electricity to rural and urban households. The Green Energy Corridor (GEC) is another such initiative synchronising grid-connected renewable energy with India’s national transmission network. Other programmes like the National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM) and the Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP) are active steps towards modernising India’s power sector into a secure, adaptive, sustainable, and digitally enabled ecosystem.
Efforts to Improve Energy Efficiency
In addition to promoting renewable energy, India has also implemented the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme, which enhances energy efficiency and curbs emissions in challenging industrial sectors. As part of its updated National Determined Contributions (NDCs), India is committed to reducing the Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030 and achieving about 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
