Science academies call on G7 to provide leadership on climate action

The G7 countries have to deliver a breakthrough in international climate policy that is commensurate with the urgency of protecting natural habitats in grave danger due to global warming, science academies of the seven countries have said in a statement. The G7 science academies recommend building a carbon neutral and resilient energy system, and supporting a just energy transition through the introduction of an international trading system for renewable energy and a global CO2 pricing mechanism. More climate action, a faster energy transition and better prevention of pandemics and other threats to public health together must form a “One Health” approach to environmental policy and take centre stage at the group of influential industrialised countries’ summit at the end of this month in Bavaria, the scientists said. "To address these complex problems, the G7 science academies recommend a stronger focus on the One Health approach, which considers the health of humans, animals, plants and the wider environment as closely linked and interdependent," said German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina president Gerald Haug.

Climate and energy will be high on the agenda when Germany hosts the G7 leaders in Bavaria on 26-28 June even as Russia’s war against Ukraine is set to dominate the summit. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said the move to climate neutrality has become more important than ever in light of Putin’s war and renewables remain key to ending dependence on Russian fossil fuels.