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G7 Kananaskis Summit: G7 drops opportunity for climate leadership
June 18, 2025
Climate Action Network Japan (CAN-Japan)
At the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit, world leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) met from June 15-17 in Kananaskis, Canada to discuss pressing global issues and work towards collaborative solutions.
Facing a worsening climate crisis, at recent summits G7 countries have made a number of concrete commitments to reduce their impacts on the climate and work to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of limiting the planet’s temperature rise to 1.5℃ from pre-industrial levels.
These include commitments made at last year’s summit in Puglia, Italy to submit new emissions reduction targets (NDCs) consistent with the Paris Agreement 1.5°C goal along with affirmation of their commitments made at the COP28 conference to transition away from fossil fuels, triple the installed capacity of renewable energy, and double energy efficiency. Additionally, building on 2023’s commitment to fully or predominantly decarbonize the G7’s power sectors by 2035, G7 leaders also agreed last year to phase-out unabated coal-fired power generation by the first half of 2030s.
However, despite leaders making these commitments while emphasizing “this critical decade” for climate action, climate was missing from the agenda for this year’s summit. Instead of a Leaders’ Communique, seven separate statements were released on issues such as global and regional security, AI and quantum technologies, migration, and critical minerals.
One of these statements, the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter, expresses concern over “record-breaking wildfires” over the past decade, yet makes no mention of climate change, despite the scientific links between climate change and the frequency and intensity of wildfires and the past 10 years being the hottest in recorded history.
2024 was the hottest year on record, and was the first year to exceed 1.5℃ above pre-industrial levels. Further temperature rises are predicted as the critical decade continues, and the world expects the G7 to lead global efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy, and supporting developing countries in achieving their own just transitions.
Reactions from CAN-Japan members
Hisayo Takada, Project Manager at Greenpeace Japan:
The intensifying climate crisis will cause food crises, water shortages and disasters, as well as sparking social divisions and military conflicts. No one is unaffected by climate change, directly or indirectly. It is regrettable that the United States, the world’s second largest greenhouse gas emitter, has turned its back on climate change action, but this is why we urge the Japanese Government, other G7 countries and the rest of the world must unite to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy conservation while shifting society from fossil fuels to sustainable, renewable energy. We must properly confront President Trump, who calls climate change a “lie”, and see the climate crisis as a real crisis.
Masayoshi Iyoda, Japan Campaigner at 350.org:
Japan must stop seeking to expand its fossil gas investments, which destroy ecosystems, endanger communities, and increase the debt burden of developing nations across Asia. Japan must not buy more gas from the US as part of a trade deal: if we are to survive, our fossil free future is non-negotiable. We instead urge Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to show other G7 leaders that strong, resilient economies can be fueled by renewable energy. We urge the government to be responsive to the needs of future generations—not the short-term profits of fossil companies.
Keisuke Yoshikawa, Climate & Energy Group, Conservation Division, WWF Japan:
It is very disappointing that this G7 summit failed to present any statements on climate change. In 2024, the global temperature record was set, marking the hottest year on record. This underscores the urgent need to take swift and decisive actions on climate change. In contrast, non-state actors, including companies and municipalities, are continuing their climate actions all over the world undisturbed by temporary political situations. In Japan, over 1,700 Japanese companies have committed to ambitious GHG reduction targets and are making an effort to reduce their GHG emissions under the SBTi. Additionally, 831 Japanese organizations, including companies, local governments, and research institutions, have participated in the Japan Climate Initiative (JCI), jointly undertaking climate actions such as policy advocacy. It is essential for governments to provide clear guidance and direction for non-state actors. The Japanese government should raise the GHG reduction targets in its NDC, commit to phasing out all coal-fired power plants, and tripling renewable energy in Japan by 2030.
Mitsutoshi Hayakawa, Managing Director at Citizens’ Alliance for Saving the Atmosphere and the Earth (CASA) :
The global average temperature in 2024 is estimated to have risen by 1.55°C compared to pre-industrial levels, marking the first time it has exceeded 1.5°C. Climate change is progressing rapidly. It is deeply disappointing that the G7 Kananaskis Summit, held amid such circumstances, failed to send any message on climate change. Furthermore, while the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter states they are “deeply concerned” about the record-breaking wildfires occurring worldwide and commits to “implementing mitigation and adaptation actions, grounded in scientific research and local knowledge,” it makes no mention of climate change as a contributing factor. Given the Trump administration’s backward approach to climate change, G7 countries must unite to address climate change and fulfill their responsibility as contributors to the problem.
Mie Asaoka, President at Kiko Network:
It is very disappointing that, as the world faces a worsening climate crisis, G7 leaders failed to deliver a message calling to strengthen climate action and accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels. However, this does not change the necessity of achieving the G7’s previous commitments to fully or predominantly decarbonize its power sectors by 2035 and phase out unabated coal-fired power generation by the first half of 2030s.
The 7th Strategic Energy Plan approved by the Ishiba administration in February 2025 is “decarbonization” in name only, and does not deviate in any way from the status quo of maintaining and preserving nuclear and fossil fuel power generation, and fall far short of significant reductions needed. In addition, Japan’s new NDC is not consistent with the 1.5℃ goal of the Paris Agreement. Although the US has turned back to prioritizing fossil fuels, Japan as a G7 member should strengthen its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and enhance efforts to phase out fossil fuels, expand renewable energy, and increase energy conservation.
Contact
Climate Action Network Japan（CAN-Japan）
https://www.can-japan.org/
E-mail：secretariat@can-japan.org