G7 ready to agree to phase out coal by 2035

The climate, energy and environment ministers of the leading Western industrialized nations (G7) have agreed on a coal phase-out by 2035 at their meeting in Italy, British and Italian officials said Monday.

The decision was confirmed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs on Monday evening.

A ministry spokesman said that Germany had played a key role in the decision to set a clear end date for coal-fired power generation for all G7 countries.

British Energy Secretary Andrew Bowie had previously publicized the agreement.